Rachel Jackson Olson’s journey into child advocacy began long before becoming the founder and executive director of REACH 907 and Resilience Behavioral Health. Growing up in a large family with two brothers who had special needs, exposure to caregiving became second nature. Assisting with medical equipment, supporting her siblings, and witnessing her parents’ dedication as healthcare professionals shaped her deep-seated commitment to serving others.
A Passion for the Vulnerable
Olson’s father is a physician, and her mother was a nurse. Due to their medical expertise, the hospital provided around-the-clock nurses, enabling them to care for two of their own medically fragile children in their home for several years, one of whom had a tracheostomy and an entire mini-intensive care unit to keep him alive. Olson watched him struggle to breathe and learned to provide life-saving measures so he could get the oxygen he needed. “From a very young age, at 12 years old and a teenager, I learned to care for the very vulnerable,” she says. “Both of my brothers are now happy, thriving special needs young men.”
Prior to getting married, Olson and her husband both worked in international Russian and Venezuelan orphanages and schools. Eventually, they desired to do more on the home front. “We became licensed as foster parents,” she says. Over the past decade, more than 45 children, from toddlers to teenagers, found stability in the Olson home.
Expanding Support Beyond the Home
Olson recognized there was a need greater than one household could provide. “We decided we wanted to do more for our youth in the communities, so we started a nonprofit,” she says. She launched REACH 907 in 2014 to support at-risk youth through community programs.
What started as a single summer camp with 37 children quickly grew into a comprehensive organization. The nonprofit now operates with a $1.5 million annual budget, employs 28 staff members, and engages over 100 volunteers annually. Additionally, it has expanded into offering mental health counseling, day services, and structured support programs. “The question that is always on my mind is, ‘How can I serve these kids daily?’” she says.
Trauma-Informed Care and Lasting Change
In the mental health field, traditional approaches often fall short. However, Olson has adopted a new method. “There is a model out there that we absolutely love,” she says. “It’s called Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI).” This evidence-based framework supports children who have experienced trauma. TBRI provides caregivers and professionals with tools to address emotional and behavioral needs effectively.
Years of direct experience taught Olson that trauma-impacted children require a delicate balance of nurture and structure. Conventional parenting methods don’t apply when working with children who have faced neglect, instability, or abuse. “You have to holistically reach the mind, body, spirit and emotion,” she says.
Leadership Rooted in Experience and Resilience
Olson’s leadership and child welfare advocacy have earned widespread recognition. In 2023, REACH 907 received accreditation through the Council of Accreditation for its mental health services. The organization earned 337 standards of excellence in care and services.
Acknowledgments such as inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who prestigious biographical listings, receiving the 2019 Alaska Governor’s First Lady’s Volunteer of the Year Award, and inclusion in the 2024 Top 40 Under 40 Outstanding Professionals reflect the impact of Olsen’s work. She credits perseverance, strong partnerships, and faith as driving forces behind her success. Additionally, guidance from mentors like Ed McDowell, senior adviser for the Murdock Trust, and former Alaska DHHS commissioner Bill Hogan played a key role in shaping the organization’s direction.
A Lasting Change for the Youth
With an increasing demand for mental health services in Alaska, Olson continues to push forward. Her plans include securing a dedicated facility for REACH 907, increasing staff capacity, and maintaining long-term sustainability.
When stepping away from work, Olson finds balance in watercolor painting, playing pickleball, and enjoying Alaska’s natural beauty with her family. The goal of her life’s work is to create lasting change for the youth and families who need it most. “I believe in people’s potential,” she says. “We must empower and build each other up.”
