Tonya Burns Joins Children Today as Executive Director

Children Today is pleased to announce that Tonya Burns has been named executive director.  With a decades-long career in the fields of social work, mental health, and child care, and with vast knowledge of operations, program management, and resource development, Tonya is ideally suited to lead the agency into a new phase of growth and excellence.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tonya to Children Today,” Bonnie Lowenthal, the agency’s board president said. “We know she’ll make important contributions, not just to Children Today, but to the wider Long Beach service community.”

Tonya comes to us with a wealth of education and relevant experience.  She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago and over 30 years’ experience in the social services field.  Here are just a few of her impressive career highlights:

• Senior Staff Consultant for the Child Welfare League of America – providing consultation to public child welfare organizations in Riverside, Solano and Alameda counties. 

• Los Angeles Division Director for Olive Crest Homes and Services - responsible for foster family, wraparound, and family preservation programs in the Los Angeles region.

• Director/Division Manager for Crystal Stairs – managed all California Department of Education funded child care subsidy programs for this child care resource and referral agency. 

• Executive Director for Victor Community Support Services (Perris programs only) – directed mental health prevention and early intervention programs, including the Transition Age Youth Full Partnership Program, Children’s Mental Health Home and School-Based Program, and the Peer-to-Peer Program. Tonya was also the Assistant Director of Business and Program Development while employed with Victor. She was successful in securing more than $1 million dollars in new programs and services.

“I am thrilled to work at Children Today.  It is my hope to build upon the excellent work provided by the staff and board members of Children Today and to work with the greater Long Beach community to provide additional services to children and their families.”

Tonya has a deep commitment to working on behalf of vulnerable and under-served populations and is passionate about addressing trauma. As a Long Beach resident, she is also invested in making our community a better place.  We are lucky to have her join us in our work.