Birmingham Foster Parent Honored for Improving Child Welfare

Casey Excellence for Children Awards recognize David H. Sharp for making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families across America

SEATTLE, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Casey Family Programs, a national operating foundation committed to improving the lives of children and families in communities across America, has named David H. Sharp of Birmingham, Ala., among the winners of the annual Casey Excellence for Children Awards.

The foundation gives the awards to recognize outstanding individuals who have demonstrated distinguished work, exceptional leadership and relentless dedication in improving the child welfare system.

Mr. Sharp received the award in the category for foster parents. The award recognizes a licensed foster care provider who has excelled as a foster parent, and is a supporter and resource for other foster parents.

David H. Sharp has worked to safely reduce the length of time that children stay in foster care by sitting on the legislative board of Alabama's Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, and as public policy chair of the National Foster Parent Association.

He recently was elected president of his county foster and adoptive parent association. He and his wife have one adopted daughter and have fostered dozens of children, ranging in age from birth to 15 years old. Mr. Sharp has coached basketball and soccer, taught Sunday school and recruited many new foster parents over the last four years.

At the invitation of Alabama Department of Human Resources, he addressed agency staff about the importance of foster parent-social worker relations and communication. Mr. Sharp has been recognized for advocacy efforts by his county's guardian ad litem, the Alabama Attorney General's Office and the Department of Human Resources, as well as his church of more than 5,000 members where he was instrumental in starting a new mercy ministry for foster care.

"David H. Sharp carries the banner for countless others across the nation who are doing extraordinary work on behalf of those involved in the foster care system," said Shelia Evans-Tranumn, chair of the Board of Trustees of Casey Family Programs. "He shares our goal to have every child grow up in a healthy, safe and permanent family, and within a supportive community."

Casey Family Programs is the nation's largest operating foundation focused entirely on foster care and improving the child welfare system. Founded in 1966, we work to provide and improve – and ultimately prevent the need for – foster care in the United States. As champions for change, we are committed to our 2020 Strategy for America's Children, a goal to safely reduce the number of children in foster care and improve the lives of those who remain in care.

www.casey.org

SOURCE Casey Family Programs