ELKINS — After 37 years with the agency, Executive Co-Director Peggy Johnson will be retiring from Youth Health Service, Inc. on June 30, and her successor, Sarah Begg, will join the established leadership team, consisting of Executive Co-Director, Tammie Rizzio, and Director of Business Operations, Amanda Arbogast, to lead the agency.

While Johnson has spent the last 10 years serving in the role of executive co-director, her contributions to the agency in its tenure are varied. During the formative years of the agency, she served as a case manager providing maternity and parenting support and education for young women and their families.

As the community needs shifted, Johnson moved into an Early Intervention role working with little ones and their families aimed at increasing opportunities and reducing barriers to learning and developmental growth.

By the mid-90’s, the agency transitioned to providing behavioral health programs for kids of all ages, allowing her to further her specialization in early childhood, providing individual play therapy as well as group and family therapies and coordinating early childhood programming, which included the addition of Home Ties Child Development Center.

Johnson has served as the Project Director for several grant programs around early learning opportunities in participating in childcare programs in the area and the development of the child and adolescent trauma center which led to YHS being an affiliate of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

When asked about memorable moments and hopes for the agency moving forward, Johnson said, “The memories that stand out the most involve the people I have been blessed to know here – the amazing leaders who hired me all those years ago and not only mentored but befriended me as well; the dedicated co-workers past and present, so many who have become life-long friends; those caring professionals throughout our communities who supported the mission of YHS and the children we serve; the volunteers who donated their time, talent, and energy to help us; and the faces, the voices, the stories of the children and caregivers who have passed through this way.

“As I am wrapping up my last days as co-director, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences of the past and tremendous hope and confidence for the future of Youth Health Service and the important work being done here.”

Johnson will certainly be missed by her YHS family, community partners and clients; her contributions to the agency and the community at large have been forever impactful and the field of early childhood education and development, and behavioral health are better in our community because of her influences.

Begg will assume her new role on July 1 and brings with her 14 years of experience in the field. After receiving her BSW from Concord University, she went on to receive her MSW while also working for the WVDHHR CPS before transitioning to Southern Highlands Community Health Center as a Therapist. In 2015 she continued her work as a Therapist at Youth Health Service before transitioning to a School Social Worker in Randolph County Schools and back to YHS in 2022.

Begg has long had a passion for helping others that led her to social work. When asked what she would like to achieve in her new role, Begg stated, “I aim to continue the legacy YHS has of helping children and families through new and innovative processes, growing behavioral health to meet the ever increasing and changing needs of the communities we serve, and support and empower the qualified, compassionate, and wonderful staff at YHS.”

The community may express their well wishes and congratulations to both Johnson and Begg by sending cards to Youth Health Service ATTN: Ms. Johnson/Ms. Begg 971 Harrison Ave. Elkins, WV 26241.