Staff photo / R. Michael Semple Former Trumbull County Children Services executive director Timothy Schaffner, watches as Allesha Ciminero, TCCS executive assistant, unveils the plaque dedicating its residential treatment center to Schaffner, who headed the agency for 12 years.

WARREN — Following 12 years as the executive director at Trumbull County Children Services, where he left a lasting impression on co-workers and the area’s youth, its residence hall was named the Timothy E. Schaffner Residential Treatment Center during a ceremony Monday afternoon.

Although he retired from TCCS on Feb. 9, Schaffner remarked that July 15 was 49 years to the day — in 1975 — that he started his working life.

Marilyn Pape, who took over for Schaffner, said this about her former boss, “Tim’s history with our residential center goes back to his early days when he began to train our childcare staff in PARR (Physical Aggression, Response, Relief) that he created, and facilitated residential revisioning from Valley Counseling to serve our residential units. Therefore, it is only fitting that our residential building will be forevermore known as the Timothy E. Schaffner Residential Treatment Center.”

Schaffner was CEO of Valley Counseling until its closing.

Along his career journey, he counseled people at TCCS.

“Tim was not only a leader, but also a mentor to me and many others,” said Nikki Hazlett, TCCS residential administrator. “His wisdom, guidance and unwavering support has shaped my career and countless individuals in this field. We have all been profoundly impacted by his mentorship and learned invaluable lessons that will continue to guide us in our work. We are committed to uphold the high standards and compassion and care that Tim championed throughout his career. Every child who walks through these doors will benefit from the legacy of love and dedication that he has left behind.”

Former TCCS residential center resident Terra Hohvart of Champion, now 21, discussed how Schaffner guided her at the center and in her career path.

“One thing I noticed about Tim was his very down-to-earth, kind attitude, and you feel very safe talking to him. One day, he asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I told him about the spark that living in the residential center had lit in me. It made me want to help people like us in a career. He told me to get in touch with him when I turned 18 and he would mentor me as much as he could. I contacted Mr. Schaffner the winter after I turned 18. I work for Cadence Care Network as a respite provider and I was formerly a peer support provider.”

When accepting the dedication plaque, Schaffner was humble.

“I am very honored to receive this award, but it is a team approach. It makes me a little uncomfortable to be singled out from the team,” he said.

He thanked all of the support around the agency that helped him achieve what he did during his tenure.

“I haven’t thought about whether the agency is doing alright since Feb. 9 because Marilyn is here. I know it’s in good hands. Our politicians don’t always get along except for one thing. We get 100% support from all of them, from our state legislators to our city council to our mayor,” Schaffner said. “We have the best board and they and the juvenile court are wonderful partners. That’s why Trumbull County is the best place to raise kids and keep kids safe. We are truly a community. This is the best place and I got to finish my career at the best place.”

Schaffner has four children — Jessica, Nikki, Jake and Jillian — and five grandchildren, who all believe their father is deserving of this honor.

His daughter, Nikki, said her father worked very hard all his life and she remembered the dedication he had for the children and families of Trumbull County.

“Tim’s super power is his passion for children, especially those in residential care,” Pape said.

Schaffner said he often had to leave his biological family when a call came through from his work family about his “work kids.”

“They’ve all known my work with kids over the years and they know I don’t make it home from work on time. All our kids played second fiddle to our ‘work kids,” as my children called them. I always had their patience. I always had their support. One thing I am most excited about today is to make them proud,” he said.

The naming of the residential treatment center after Schaffner was not only an honor for him but a thank you from the people who came in contact with him during his tenure at the agency.

“I was glad that we were able to show him how meaningful his effect was on children,” said Hohvart.