Children’s Home Society of Washington has selected Rick Purcell as the new community director for Spokane. He joined Children’s Home Society of Washington as an administrative supervisor in 2011.

“I am honored to step into this new role at Children’s Home Society of Washington,” Purcell said. “Our work in Spokane County is truly making the difference in the lives of children and their families. I’m eager to expand our reach to help more children in the future.”

Former Spokane Community Director Libby Hein will serve as the regional director who will responsible for operations for all of Children’s Home Society of Washington’s locations in Eastern Washington. 

Purcell will be overseeing Galland-Ashlock Family Resource Center in the Spokane Valley, Children’s Waiting Room at the Spokane County Courthouse and counseling offices in Airway Heights and at the Northeast Community Center in North Spokane. 

Before joining Children’s Home Society of Washington, Purcell worked in various fields, including small business owner, Realtor, and as a school teacher. As a school teacher, he was a recipient of the Bill Gates Foundation Teacher Leadership Award where one of 20 teachers statewide selected to receive award for effective use of technology in the classroom. 

Purcell earned a master’s in education from Eastern Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences from Washington State University.