Child Guidance Center Records

The Child Guidance Center was organized in 1929, at first serving both adults and children. Funding was originally through the Community Chest. Expansion of service occurred in 1952 with matching funds from the Department of Mental Hygiene and Correction. Since 1969, funding has been channeled through the Montgomery County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board.

In 1950, the Board of the Child Guidance Center raised funds for the renovation of the Canby home to provide a residential facility for children and the house of the Child Guidance Center. The Department of Mental Hygiene provided funds for the operation of the hospital portion which designated as the Dayton Receiving Hospital for Children. Locally the building was known as Variety Manor because of contributions made by the Variety Club of Dayton. The hospital and the Guidance Center were operated as a complete mental health service for children by appointing the same individual (Dr. Simpson) as Superintendent of the Hospital and Director of the Child Guidance Center.

In 1955, funds were obtained in a state bond issue for the present building which houses both the Child Guidance Center and the Dayton Children’s Psychiatric Hospital. The Hospital and Guidance Center are approved for psychiatric residencies in child psychiatry and are affiliated with three Ohio psychiatric institutes in the residency training in general psychiatry. The Hospital is affiliated with St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Sinclair Community College.