Melissa Schreff and Jim Vivier Honored for Leadership Excellence

Darien, Conn (July 2, 2024) – On June 30, Family Centers presented the 2024 Janet Hennessey Dilenschneider Excellence in Leadership Awards to Melissa Schreff, Senior Director of Quality, Compliance & Analytics and Jim Vivier, Chief Operating Officer. The ceremony took place at the Darien home of Jan Dilenschneider and her husband, Bob.

Named in honor of Dilenschneider, a longtime Family Centers Board member and past Board Chair, the award recognizes the achievements, innovation, and contributions of Family Centers’ management team.

Schreff, who joined Family Centers in 1998, has previously held various positions within the agency’s Early Care and Education program and administrative team. In her current role, she has developed, implemented, and maintained systems ensuring high-quality and effective services for clients. This past year, Schreff led the setup, training and implementation of Epic, Family Centers’ new electronic health record system.

“Melissa has established the Quality, Compliance, and Analytics department and has been integral in maintaining the agency’s electronic health systems,” said Dennis Torres, Family Centers’ Chief Health Officer.

Vivier began his tenure with Family Centers in 1999 as the agency’s first Marketing Director and has since held various leadership roles, including Vice President of Development and Communications and Chief Advancement Officer. As COO, Vivier oversees Family Centers’ Human Resources, Information Technology and Administrative Departments to enhance employee and agency development. He has also played an integral role in facilitating the expansion of Family Centers’ physical footprint, which include several major building projects expected to be completed this fall.

“Jim knows when to provide direct leadership and when to practice supportive leadership,” said Family Centers’ CEO Bob Arnold. “His ability to navigate the many nuances of collaborative leadership while consistently advancing the goal of Family Centers is what makes him an exceptional leader.”

Past winners of the award include Family Centers’ Chief Advancement Officer Bill Brucker; Chief Program Officer Leslie Sexer; Chief Health Officer Dennis Torres; and Vice President Yenny Toone.

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering health, education and human service programs to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. Over 300 professionals and 500 trained volunteers work together to provide more than 24,000 residents with a holistic, wrap-around approach to care. Family Centers is Joint Commission accredited in Ambulatory Health Care, Behavioral Health Care and Human Services. Family Centers’ Early Care and Education programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the agency is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Visit www.familycenters.org for additional information.