NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

MDCC Statement on Proposed Changes to the 2030 Census

September 10 2026

At Maria Droste Counseling Center, we serve a wide range of individuals and families, including many who identify as BIPOC or LGBTQ+, are facing financial hardship, or are navigating immigration status—communities that have historically had to fight to be seen, counted, and resourced.

The proposed changes to the 2030 Census would remove the collection of race and ethnicity data for the first time in more than two centuries and change who is included in the population count. For the people we serve, that’s not just a data point. Being counted is how a community’s needs become visible and how funding, services, and representation follow that need. When people aren’t counted, it becomes easier to act as though the disparities they face don’t exist.

We echo the concerns raised by the National Council of Nonprofits and others, urging the Department of Commerce to ensure the 2030 Census counts everyone, accurately and fully. An accurate count isn’t just a technical matter—it’s how we make sure every community’s story, and its needs, are reflected in the resources meant to serve them.

MDCC Statement on Chiles v. Salazar

March 31, 2026

We want to acknowledge the recent Supreme Court decision in Chiles v. Salazar, which could affect state protections against conversion therapy and allow these practices to continue in some cases, particularly impacting LGBTQ+ youth.

At Maria Droste Counseling Center (MDCC), our commitment remains unchanged. We do not permit the use of conversion therapy in any form. Our care is grounded in evidence-based, affirming practices that prioritize the dignity, safety, and well-being of every individual we serve.

We recognize this may be a difficult and, for many, unsettling moment—for our clients, our community, and those personally impacted by this decision. We want to be clear: we see that, and we hold space for it.

In moments like this, it’s important to remember that we are not alone. Leading voices across the mental health field, including the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), have reaffirmed that conversion therapy is not evidence-based care and poses real risks to those it targets. They continue to advocate for affirming, ethical care while working to dismantle harmful and discriminatory practices.

MDCC remains committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based, and affirming mental health care to everyone we serve.

Maria Droste Counseling Center Names Laura Ferguson, LPC, LMFT, as Next Executive Director 

December 10, 2025

After a comprehensive national search, the Board of Directors of Maria Droste Counseling Center (MDCC) is happy to announce that Laura Ferguson, LPC, LMFT, has been selected as the organization’s next Executive Director. Ferguson, a seasoned behavioral health leader with more than 20 years of experience in clinical care, program administration, regulatory compliance, and nonprofit management, will assume the role on January 5, 2026.

Ferguson currently serves as the Executive Director of Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, where she oversees all operations for a behavioral health facility serving adolescents across residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of care. In this role, she has led significant quality, clinical, and regulatory improvements, including returning the facility to good standing with the Department of Human Services within ten months and achieving major gains in patient outcomes, with 100% of discharging patients reporting subclinical levels of depression and anxiety in mid-2025 .

She brings extensive expertise in compliance and quality improvement from her prior leadership roles as Executive Director of Quality & Compliance for Mind Springs Health and West Springs Hospital, and Director of Quality Improvement for Community Reach Center, where she implemented organization-wide auditing frameworks, strengthened regulatory performance, and prepared teams for Joint Commission accreditation.

Ferguson also previously served as the State Authority for Involuntary Treatment within the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, leading statewide regulatory updates, conducting high-profile investigations, drafting statutory and rule revisions, and partnering with all 17 Community Mental Health Centers across Colorado. 

“We are excited to welcome Laura as our new Executive Director and look forward to the leadership and vision she brings to MDCC. Laura brings depth of experience, strategic insight, and a leadership style that aligns beautifully with our mission and values.” said Demetrius Parker, Chair of the Board of Directors. 

Throughout her career, Ferguson has championed trauma-informed, culturally responsive, equity-focused care, along with workforce development and clinician resilience—core components of MDCC’s mission. She has supervised clinicians for over a decade, led large multidisciplinary teams, taught advanced documentation and clinical practice standards, and developed programs grounded in quality improvement and value-based care. She also founded an internship partnership for graduate counseling students and has experience building behavioral health programs from the ground up .

“As a mission-driven leader, it is an honor and privilege to step into the role of Executive Director at Maria Droste Counseling Center,” said incoming Executive Director Laura Ferguson. “My focus in the months ahead will be to listen deeply, learn from colleagues, and foster the partnerships that allow us to serve our community with compassion and excellence. I hope to serve as a stabilizing presence at MDCC – someone who leads with authenticity, vision, and a deep respect for the work this community has carried for so long.”

This appointment follows the leadership transition overseen by Cynthia Romero, who has served as Interim CEO since 2023. “I am deeply grateful for Cynthia’s steady guidance as Interim CEO and the ongoing support of our leadership team. Cynthia will remain with us as a consultant during the transition, which allows us to continue moving forward with stability, collaboration, and confidence.” Parker said.