 | Press ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2006
Contact: Rosemary Kennedy, Child Abuse Prevention Council Coordinator Telephone: 707.421.7229 Email: capc@childnet.org
Child Protection Professionals, Volunteers To Be Honored By Annual Awards in Solano County
The accomplishments of outstanding Solano citizens who have helped to protect our children will be celebrated by the Solano County Child Abuse Prevention Council on Tuesday, January 9, 2007, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Opera House in Vacaville. This year’s honorees include individuals from the Board of Supervisors, local police forces, community-based organizations, Child Protective Services, a local attorney serving children involved in the Child Protective Services system, a medical practitioner, an educator and community members. Each award honoree will receive a beautiful plaque presented to him or her by the 30 member council. Dave Paulson, Solano County District Attorney, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
This event celebrates individuals in our community who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to protect children from abuse and neglect. Research shows that trauma and lack of nurturing early in life can have long-term negative consequences. “Our children are the future, and we will honor those who embrace the potential of a bright future for kids and the passion to persevere,” said Dottie Fair, Chair of the Solano County Child Abuse Prevention Council.
Two of the awards, the Mary Ellen and the Henry Bergh awards, are named after the victim and prosecutor in the first successful prosecution of a child abuse case in the United States. Henry Bergh, head of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York City of the 1860s, successfully pressed for a conviction in the case because there were laws protecting animals, but not children like the victim, Mary Ellen.
The Child Abuse Prevention Council was established in March, 1998, by the Solano County Board of Supervisors. In recent months, the Council has sought nominations for the 2007 awards, and several were received in each of the categories. An excellent slate of honorees was selected from throughout Solano County for the Child Abuse Prevention Council Awards as follows:
Mary Ellen Award to the Children’s Protective Services Worker of the Year:
Henry Bergh Award to the Practitioner of the Year:
Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:
Medical Practitioner of the Year:
Educator of the Year:
Volunteer of the Year:
Advocate of the Year:
Multicultural Achievement Award:
Career Achievement Award:
The Council will also recognize and honorably mention: Ja’Nita Beccerra, Public Health Nurse Joel Fine, M.D. Jeff Gaborko, M.D. Mathew Heeren, M.D. Kathryn Jenkins, Child Welfare Services Paula LeDoux, Vacaville FIRST Office, Vacaville Family Resource Center Linda M. Liles, Solano County Child Welfare Services North Bay Medical Center and ABC Prenatal Clinic Marion Christine Pantoja, Vallejo City Unified School District Lisette Shepherd, Solano County Child Welfare Service Rochelle Sherlock, Solano County Office of Family Violence Prevention Kathryn Stahnke, Attorney at Law
This event is open to the public. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP to the Children’s Network of Solano County at (707) 421-7229. |