Aviva Family & Children's Services Appoints President/CEO Regina Bette to Succeed Andrew Diamond

LOS ANGELES, June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aviva Family & Children's Services announced today the appointment of Regina Bette as its new President and CEO, effective July 30, 2011.  Bette, a 30 year veteran of prevention and treatment support services in the LA-County area, will replace Andrew Diamond, who announced his retirement plans last September after 23 years with Aviva.

Bette currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Five Acres, the Boys' and Girls' Aid Society of Los Angeles, where she supervises and develops programs with an agency budget of  $27 million and provides clinical leadership as the agency's chief clinical officer.

"Regina combines extensive experience as a social worker with proven administrative leadership skills in the full continuum of treatment, from prevention and intervention through aftercare," said Wendy Wolf, chair of Aviva's Board of Directors. "Her experience with residential treatment and deep knowledge of County needs and issues make her the ideal person to lead Aviva," said Wolf.

"Aviva has a distinguished track record serving the changing needs of Los Angeles children and families, generation to generation" said Bette.  "This is an important time.  Aviva has thrived in a tough fiscal climate, when even successful residential treatment programs are facing significant challenges.  I am honored to join and look forward to continuing Aviva's successful legacy."

Bette, a social worker and marriage and family therapist, has served with Five Acres in various leadership capacities since 1980, including director roles overseeing Residential Treatment and Therapeutic Group Homes and as Clinical Social Worker for the agency.  She is active within the California Alliance for Children and Family Service Agencies and the Association of Community Human Service Agencies.

The mission of Aviva Family and Children's Services, founded in Los Angeles in 1913 as Hamburger Home, is to provide a comprehensive range of diverse and culturally sensitive therapeutic and educational programs to emotionally distressed, abused and neglected adolescents, children at-risk, and their families to develop skills and strengths necessary to enhance their individual and family functioning.  The expert, committed and experienced staff at Aviva provides a full range services to help children—whether living in residential care or in the community—to lead productive, enriched lives.  For more information, please visit www.avivacenter.org.

SOURCE Aviva Family and Children's Services