Linda Kloss Devotes Her Time to Tykes and Teens

If it hadn’t been for a Christmas card from friends in Massachusetts who wrote that they were moving to Vero Beach, Linda Kloss might never have known about the seaside gem we call home. Curious, she clicked on the city website and liked what she saw. Kloss and her husband had been looking to make a move, and Vero appeared to fit the bill. They packed up, headed south, bought a house, and settled in.

Prior to retiring, Kloss was CEO of the American Health Information Management Association, headquartered in Chicago. She had also served in thought leadership roles, providing consulting to health care nonprofits and technology and service organizations. In addition, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services appointed her to serve on the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics, where she chaired the Privacy, Confidentiality, and Security Subcommittee.

Accustomed to being over-the-top busy, Kloss was having trouble dealing with the adjustment to a much slower-paced lifestyle.

“I was doing some consulting work but I needed more,” she admits. “Then I met a retired clinical psychologist and mentioned I was looking to volunteer for something in social services, something that had meaning. She told me about Tykes and Teens, a leading provider of evidence-based behavioral health services for infants on up to age 18 and their families on the Treasure Coast. I immediately embraced the mission and jumped right in.”

It’s easy to see why; Kloss has a heart for helping others, especially the youngest among us.

“We work with children who are experiencing anxiety, depression, impulse control issues, autism, eating disorders, and a range of other behaviors due to causes like homelessness and abuse. Also, after COVID, therapists reported that kids weren’t as prepared to deal with life’s challenges. Not only do more tykes, teens, and young adults need help, their issues are more complex, requiring a greater level of service. We help them draw on their resilience skills.”

Kloss is quick to point out that the first few years of a child’s life are a blueprint for his or her future. “When very young children are exposed to traumatic events, their risk of experiencing long-term mental and physical health problems increases. Addressing issues early means healthier children can reach their full potential. That’s the bottom line.”

Initially, Kloss joined the nonprofit’s public relations and development committees before becoming president of the board for two years. Then came the search for a new CEO. “Because of my background, I served as interim CEO until we hired Anne [Posey],” says Kloss, who continues to serve on the board, chairing the governance committee.

“The amount of demand for our services continues to increase. Many of our referrals come from the Department of Children and Families and school counselors. People are always shocked when they hear about 4-year-olds whose behavior causes them to be kicked out of preschool,” says Kloss.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever really retire. I was prepared to, and then Tykes and Teens came along. I don’t have children. I’ve been in an adult world all my life, so my exposure to children and knowing I’m able to help them is very gratifying.”