Extraordinary Children, Adoptive Families, and Permanency Professionals Celebrated at 19th Annual Pennsylvania Permanency Conference

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Public Welfare Gary D. Alexander today announced the kick-off of the 19th Annual Pennsylvania Permanency Conference, held this year at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center from July 20-22.  

The conference, with a theme this year of "Assuring a Legacy," is hosted by the Statewide Adoption Network and Permanency Network, or SWAN.  

"This year, we are celebrating last year's record-breaking number of 2,388 adoptions, and the work of the countless professionals, families, and even the children who made this achievement happen," said Alexander. "However, this conference now marks a new year, and a new goal of assuring a legacy for the 2,500 Pennsylvania children still awaiting a family to call their own."

The permanency conference serves as a forum to train people who prepare children and families for their journey through the child welfare system and their path to a permanent, adoptive home.

The highlight of the conference is a recognition banquet held the evening of July 20. The event showcases families and professionals whose compassion and hard work have truly changed lives. Their inspiring stories of change will be shared during the banquet. This year's award winners include:  

Permanent Family Recognition Award
Families selected for this award have provided legalized permanency for a child or children in the child welfare system:  

• Robert Rock, Beaver County
• Kelli and Chris Hanley, Bucks County
• Jerver and Amanda Fernandez, Luzerne County
• Christy Noll and Molly Long, Northumberland County
• Renee Smith, Philadelphia County

Permanency Teamwork Recognition
Teams selected to receive this award exemplify a collaborative effort that promotes the permanency of children with special needs:

• Chelsa Gerould, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care
• Christine Smith-Hoh, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care
• Michelle Koontz, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care
• Barb Jakubek, Berks County Children and Youth Services
• Clarissa McDonald, Berks County Children and Youth Services
• Elizabeth Monick, Berks County Children and Youth Services

County Collaborative Recognition
This award recognizes a collaborative effort between a county court and a county children and youth agency that expedites permanency:

• Lycoming County Children and Youth Services
• Lycoming County Court

Permanency Advocate Recognition
This award recognizes a dynamic individual that demonstrates a commitment to building cooperative relationships that expedite the permanency process:

• Helen Blair Schuler, Montgomery County Orphan's Court

Independent Living Professional Recognition
The individual selected for this award has demonstrated that they have helped youth transition into a successful contributing member of society:

• Bill Motsavage, Valley Youth House, Lehigh County

Permanency Professional Recognition
Individuals selected to receive this award are permanency professionals working in a public or private child welfare agency:

• Paula Roberts, Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth Services

Philanthropy Recognition
The organization selected to receive this award demonstrates a charitable contribution that promotes the permanency of children in foster care:

• MediaOnePA, York, PA

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare oversees the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network, which hosts the annual Permanency Conference. Learn more online at www.adoptpakids.org.

Media contact: Anne Bale, Department of Public Welfare; 717-425-7606

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare