The Child Welfare Awards were presented last month by the State Court Administrative Office’s Foster Care Review Board. Pictured are (left to right) Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth L. Gleicher; James Novell, Foster Care Review Board program manager; Glenn and Kim Wing, 2016 Foster Parents of the Year; Judge Robert S. Sykes, Jr., 2016 Jurist of the Year; Cheboygan County Probate Judge Robert J. Butts, accepting on behalf of Nancy Lucas-Dean, 2016 Parent Attorney of the Year; William Ladd, 2016 Lawyer-Guardian ad Litem of the Year; and Troy Dandra Miller, 2016 Foster Care Worker of the Year.
Six individuals were recognized recently by the State Court Administrative Office’s Foster Care Review Board for outstanding service to children in foster care in Michigan.
Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth L. Gleicher presented the 2016 Child Welfare Awards at the Sheraton Detroit Metro Hotel in Romulus. Troy Miller, a foster care specialist with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) South Central Office in Wayne County, was honored as the Foster Care Worker of the Year.
Miller received nominations from multiple co-workers, each citing numerous examples of the hard work, dedication, creativity and professionalism he has demonstrated and in going “above and beyond the call of duty” in his efforts to achieve positive outcomes for the children and families he serves.”
He was commended by his supervisor for honesty, sincerity and commitment to providing the highest quality service and support to children and families.
William Ladd, with the Michigan Children's Law Center in Wayne County, was honored as Lawyer-Guardian Ad Litem of the Year.
Ladd was recognized for more than 25 years of strong advocacy for children by providing them with an active voice in their court cases.
He received recognition from Children's Rights, a national watch dog organization, for his efforts as "next friend" in a 2010 lawsuit addressing conditions of children within the Michigan foster care system.
Ladd was also noted for his involvement with the Children's Law Section of the State Bar Association as a current council member and past chair.
Nancy Lucas-Dean, an attorney in Mackinac City, was honored as Parent Attorney of the Year.
Dean was recognized for her diligent and thorough preparation skills and strong representation of parents. It was noted that Lucas-Dean is fully involved in all aspects of the case, attending Family Team Meetings and Foster Care Review Board reviews She also serves on the county Child Protection Mediation Steering Committee and has previously served on the Children's Mental Health Court Team.
Ionia County Probate Court Judge Robert S. Sykes, Jr. was honored as the Jurist of the Year.
He was nominated by the Ionia County Foster Care Review Board for fair, timely and efficient processing of child abuse and neglect cases.
Skyes was commended for his efforts in maximizing parental involvement, a key factor in achieving reunification in a timely manner, while also stressing collaboration among community partners.
He was also recognized as a strong advocate for establishing a child welfare system that is able to achieve positive outcomes for all children and families served within the system. To that end, he presently serves on the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, the Michigan Court Improvement Task Force, the Michigan Foster Care Review Board Advisory Committee, the Michigan Child Welfare Judicial Advisory Committee, and the Ionia County Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Glenn and Kim Wing, foster parents in Marquette County, received the Foster Parents of the Year award.
The Wings were nominated for providing a stable, caring home for 18 years to over 100 children who have required foster care due to abuse and neglect.
Four of the children have been adopted by the Wings.
In addition, the Wings were commended for the support, leadership and training they provide to other foster parents, as well as for their service on local court committees and the state Foster Care Review Board.
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