Meet Our Director: Alexa J. Backus Chase
January 2025
Hello St. Lawrence County,
Since stepping into the role of Youth Bureau Director in March 2020, I have been honored to serve the youth and families of this incredible county. Returning to my hometown of Heuvelton has been both a professional and personal homecoming, bringing me full circle from my days as a graduate of Heuvelton Central High School in 1989.
After graduating high school, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University, where my passion for youth development and education took root. For 27 years, I worked with Huntington Learning Centers, serving as a franchise owner and Center Director. This experience allowed me to empower students of all ages to achieve academic success, building confidence and fostering a love of learning. It also gave me the opportunity to master solid managerial and supervisory skills, which have been invaluable in my current role.
Today, I bring that same energy and dedication to the Youth Bureau. St. Lawrence County is full of natural beauty, resilient communities, and remarkable potential. Yet, like many rural areas, we face challenges in retaining our youth. My mission as Director is to create opportunities that inspire young people to stay, grow, and thrive in the North Country.
Throughout my tenure, I’ve been proud to focus on initiatives that support mental health, community engagement, and youth leadership. Highlights include partnering with local organizations to deliver mental health programs like Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health, empowering over 800 elementary students to create mental health action plans. As a member of the St. Lawrence County Suicide Awareness Coalition (SAC) and a certified QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and safeTALK trainer, I’ve also worked to equip communities with tools to recognize and respond to individuals in crisis.
I firmly believe we can nurture brighter futures when we address three critical areas: academic success, social and emotional well-being, and a strong sense of community belonging. These elements are the foundation for empowering our youth to envision and achieve their goals.
St. Lawrence County is not just where I work; it’s where my heart is. Together with families, schools, and community partners, we can create a supportive, innovative environment that allows every child to reach their fullest potential. Whether through service projects, leadership opportunities, or mental health initiatives, our youth are the key to a vibrant future.
I invite you to join us in this mission. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, and please reach out with ideas, feedback, or questions. Together, let’s inspire the next generation to dream big and contribute to the greatness of St. Lawrence County.
Sincerely,
Alexa J. Backus Chase
Director, St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau
Meet Our Coordinator: Ken Taylor
.png)
January 2025
Dear St. Lawrence County,
I am excited to introduce myself as the new Youth Development Program Coordinator! After transitioning from the healthcare field, I’m eager to bring my passion for advocacy, mental health, and supporting youth and their families into this new role.
I’m a St. Lawrence County local, having lived in Lisbon for, well, ever. I graduated from Lisbon Central School in 2016 and thereafter I started my healthcare career. I worked at several local healthcare facilities, and some that were not so local, providing direct care and support to patients in a variety of settings including and of course not limited to, post-operative care, post-acute rehabilitation, long-term, and ambulatory care.
While I will always have a love for the healthcare field, I wanted to further my education in a way that aligned with my love for healthcare and social service. In 2021, I enrolled in Southern New Hampshire University (Go Penmen!) to study psychology. My program allowed me to study not only psychology, but several clinical and developmental specialties as well. In November 2023, I graduated as a first-generation student with summa cum laude honors.
I am excited to serve the youth of St. Lawrence County. During my interview with the Director of the Youth Bureau, I shared that I was apprehensive about the move from healthcare but, I was excited to utilize my skills and knowledge in a new way. As a natural problem solver who values collaboration, I knew this would be the right fit.
Outside of work, you can find me at the local gym, spending time with friends (who doesn’t love Friday movie nights?), or helping my relatives with day-to-day tasks.
In closing, I look forward to getting to know many of you and working together to support the youth and families of St. Lawrence County. I am committed to fostering a positive, inclusive environment where we can all thrive. I am eager to bring my skills, passion and dedication to this important work. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me – I am excited to collaborate with the community and make a lasting impact. Thank you for having me, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.
Very truly yours,
Ken Taylor
Youth Development Program Coordinator
