December 18, 1985
Articles of Incorporation

In December 1985, The Children’s Cabinet was officially established as a nonprofit organization with the filing of its Articles of Incorporation. Created through a unique collaboration of business leaders and public officials, the organization was founded with a clear mission: to keep children safe and families together. This milestone marked the beginning of four decades of dedicated service, providing vital resources and support to families across Nevada.

1987
Parenting Classes Begin

In 1987, The Children’s Cabinet launched its first parenting classes, providing families with the tools and guidance to strengthen relationships and navigate the challenges of raising children. What started as a new initiative quickly became a core part of our mission. Decades later, we continue to offer free parenting classes, empowering caregivers with the skills and support they need to create safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive.

1988
First Therapists Hired

In 1988, The Children’s Cabinet hired its first therapists, Richard Haynes and Ron Susa, to provide free family counseling—establishing one of our flagship programs. Their dedication set the stage for a lasting commitment to offering professional, no-cost mental health support to families in need. Decades later, this program continues to be a vital resource, helping children and parents strengthen relationships, overcome challenges, and build brighter futures.

1989
Nevada's Children: Our Most Precious Resource?

This publication aims to raise public awareness about Nevada's children, promoting a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing the needs of families across the state.

1989-1990
3,495 Families Served

From 1989-1990, The Children's Cabinet provided critical support to 3,495 families. This milestone reflected the increasing need for services and the dedication to strengthening families and ensuring children had the support they needed to thrive.

1990
24,070 Volunteer Hours

In 1990, The Children's Cabinet proudly logged 24,070 volunteer hours, a testament to the incredible community support we received. This dedication laid the foundation for a strong, ongoing volunteer program that continues to thrive today. We are grateful for the countless individuals who generously give their time and talents to support our mission, making a lasting impact on the lives of Nevada's children and families.

1990
Family Resource Center: The Children's Cabinet Foundation Established

A bequest from Maud W. "Jill" Walker establishes The Children's Cabinet Foundation (permanent endowment) and funds the construction of the 10,000 square foot Family Resource Center on Rock Boulevard in Reno. This center is a focal point in the community for public and private services to children, youth, and families.

1990-1991
6,573 Families Served

In just one year, The Children’s Cabinet nearly doubled the number of families served, reaching 6,573 families in need of vital support.

1991
Agency of the Year

In 1991, The Children's Cabinet was awarded Agency of the Year by the Truckee Meadows Human Services Association.

1991
Nevada's Youth Gangs White Paper

In preparation for the 1991 Legislative session, The Cabinet established a "White Paper" on Nevada's Youth Gangs, outlining current data and trends and providing 53 recommendations for combating this crisis.

1990-1991
Volunteer Organization of the Year

The Children's Cabinet was awarded Volunteer Organization of the Year by the City of Reno.

1992-1993
10,880 Families Served

By 1993, The Children's Cabinet served over 10,000 families annually.

1993
Interagency Collaborations

In 1993, The Children's Cabinet successfully negotiated its fifth Interagency Agreement outlining each agency's support for the partnership's efforts. This agreement guides the devcelopment of new programs and activities and provides written documentation of resource allocation and in-kind suppoer provided by member agencies. Public agencies represented in the agreement are: Washoe County: Manager's Office, Social Services, Juvenile Services; State of Nevada Department of Human Resources: Welfare Division, Health Division, Division of Child and Family Services; Washoe County School District, Family Court, Second Judicial District Court.

1995
Mental Health Summary Report

In 1995, The Children's Cabinet produced the Mental Health Summary Report for Northern Nevada in conjunction with the Mental Health Foundation. This report combined thousands of hours of studies and information provided by nine community-based groups and an analysis of commonalities, sparking enough interest in the community to move forward with the formation of a Mental Health Coalition.

1995
10 Year Anniversary

In 1995, The Children's Cabinet celebrated it's 10th birthday by launching the 2012 campaign a long-range planning initiative to address the needs of children and families well into the next century.

1996
Child Care Subsidy

In 1996, The Children’s Cabinet began administering child care subsidies for the state of Nevada, helping families access quality, affordable child care. This critical program allowed parents to remain in the workforce while ensuring their children had safe, supportive learning environments. Nearly three decades later, we continue this work, supporting thousands of families each year in securing the child care they need.

1996
The Children's Cabinet Teams Up with Community for Stand For Children

On June 1, 1996, The Children's Cabinet, along with a group of children and adults, gathered on the streets of Reno to stand up for the well-being of children and families. Coming together as a community, they raised their voices to advocate for stronger support systems and brighter futures for children.

1996
The Children's Cabinet Expands to Elko

The Children's Cabinet's first residency in Elko from 1996-2000 was co-located with partners at the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services to address the needs of rural families in Nevada. The Children's Cabinet expanded to Elko for the second time in 2016, co-located with Head Start of Northeastern Nevada. During the second expansion, The Children's Cabinet began "Home Visiting", meeting parents where they are at with tools to support early childhood development.

1997
New Logo

In 1997, The Children's Cabinet unveiled a new logo to symbolize our growth and commitment to the future. With this new logo, we set our sights on the future, prepared to carry our mission into the next century and beyond.

Support our mission to keep children safe and families together.

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