Commissioner of Philadelphia Department of Human Services Honored for Improving Child Welfare

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Jan 25, 2012, 12:00 ET

Casey Excellence for Children Awards recognize Anne Marie Ambrose 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 Anne Marie Ambrose, commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, 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.

Commissioner Ambrose received the Excellence in Leadership award. The award recognizes a current child welfare commissioner or director who has demonstrated excellence in leading a child welfare agency toward improved outcomes for children and families.

Anne Marie Ambrose became commissioner in June 2008 during a period when the department was under intense public scrutiny. During her tenure, she has led significant reforms in keeping children safe in their own homes and in safely reducing the number of children in foster care.

In 2009, she created a division within her agency to use data to drive practice and monitor agency performance. Commissioner Ambrose also has appointed a medical director and expanded a medical unit to develop policy and systems related to primary health care, as well as developmental and mental health care and evaluation. She also has created an Education Support Center to improve educational stability and academic progress for children in foster care. The center is considered a model nationally.

Recently, Commissioner Ambrose has undertaken her most challenging reform to date – an effort to delegate full case responsibility to community providers with strong oversight and monitoring by her agency.

"Anne Marie Ambrose 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. "She 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