Family Voices Awardees

Rep Eileen Naughton (RI) In 1998 Family Voices developed a series of awards to recognize the hard work and dedication of many leaders, partners, volunteers, and organizations. Over the past 15 years many individuals have been honored for their comitment to children, youth and families and Family Voices. We honor all of you!

The Senator John Chafee Legislative Friend of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Award

This award is presented each year to a legislator/s at either the national or state level whose work has improved the lives of children and youth, particularly those with special health care needs.  Further, their work will have demonstrated commitment to the improvement of services that reflect the principles that guide Family Voices. We have named this award after Senator John Chafee in honor and recognition of his lifelong commitment to our children and youth and their health care.

 

This year, 2007, we are proud to award:

  • Congressman Patrick Kennedy (RI)
    For his work on achieving mental health parity through the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, a bill that would grant greater access to mental health and addiction treatment and prohibit health insurers from placing discriminatory restrictions on treatment.
  • Representative Eileen Naughton (RI)
    For her work as a premiere and tireless advocate for families, children and youth in Rhode Island by ensuring the expansion of waiver programs and the Medicaid buy-in program.

Past Awardees:

  • Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY)
  • Senator Tom Harkin (IA)
  • Senator Orrin Hatch (UT)
  • Senator Bob Kerrey (NE)
  • Senator Charles Grassley (IA)
  • Senator Ted Kennedy (MA)
  • Congressman Rick Lazio (NY)
  • Congressman Ted Strickland (OH)
  • Senator Jim Jeffords (VT)
  • Senator John Chafee, RI (posthumously)
  • Congressman Pete Sessions (TX)
  • Senator Byron Dorgan (ND)
  • Senator Kent Conrad (ND)
  • Congressman Earl Pomeroy (ND)
  • Senator Tom Daschle (SD)
  • Senator Tim Johnson (SD)

 

The Teamwork Award

This award is presented to those who use innovative methods to collaborate, communicate and organize activities in order to impact on issues affecting children and youth with special health care needs within the Family Voices network.  This award recognizes exceptional activities and partnerships that have been developed with agencies, organizations or individuals. 

 

This year, 2007, we are proud to award:

  • Wendy Benz,Family Voices of Arizona at Raising Special Kids, Inc.
    For taking the lead in Arizona to improve the lives of children and youth with special health care needs and their families by getting the FOA (Family Opportunity Act) passed in Arizona.

Past Awardees:

  • KASA Advisory Board and Consultants Team   
  • Family Voices Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
  • Family Voices Region 8: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
  • Family Voices Region 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

 

The Mary Clarkson Professional Partner Commitment to Kids Award

 This award recognizes a professional partner who has worked tirelessly to support Family Voices through the promotion of Family Voices principles and improved partnerships.  The recipient is someone who has a caring concern for children and families, a willingness to seek out or respond to the concerns of families of CYSHCN, intercedes or stands on principles in support of children and families.   

 

This year, 2007, we are proud to award:

  • Pauline LisciottoProgram Manager, NJ Department of Health & Senior Services' Family Centered Care Program
  • Bonnie Teman, Coordinator, Special Child Health Services Case Management

For their unshakeable belief in the value of family support and working in partnership to bring about change for families of children and youth with special health care needs.

 

Past Awardees:

  • Dr. Gil Buchanan, MD, FAAP
  • Carolyn Gleason, Region 10, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB)
  • Doris Barnette, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
  • William Hollinshead, MD, RI Dept of Health, Division of Family Health
  • Peter Van Dyck, MD, Maternal and Child Health Bureau
  • James Bryant, MD (OH), Ohio Title V CSCHN Bureau
  • Chief, Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps
  • Cal Sia, MD (HI)
  • Diane Erlandson, RN, MS, MPH, HRSA Field Office, Boston

 

The Vince Hutchins Angel Award

This award recognizes the contributions of an individual or an organization whose endeavors have supported Family Voices and helped to improve the lives of children and youth with special health care needs.       

 

This year, 2007, we are proud to award:

  • Charles “Charlie” Homer, MD, CEO, National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ)

For bringing parent and family leadership to a new level through the Learning Collaborative on Medical Home, Epilepsy and Hearing at the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ). 

Past Awardees:

  • Patti Hackett
  • Peter Gombrich
  • Nick Egan
  • Diana Denboba, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB)
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Tom Tonniges, MD, American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Treeby Brown, Association of Maternal Child Health Programs
  • Vince Hutchins, MD
  • Christina Bethell, Foundation for Accountability
  • Paul Newacheck, Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California at San Francisco
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation
  • Kathleen Kirk Bishop, DSW
  • Jan Eldred, California Healthcare Foundation

 

The Polly Arango Leadership Award

This award honors the legacy and national treasure of Polly Arango.  For eight years, Polly led the Family Voices organization to a national model of family leaders who are committed and dedicated to serving children and youth with special health care needs.  Through Polly's vision and foresight, many families have learned not only to “walk the walk” but “talk the talk” and become leaders within their own communities or states.  The Polly Arango Leadership Award honors a family who has shown leadership within their community or state.

This year, 2007, we are proud to award:

  • Phyllis Landry-Ratcliff, Family Voices of Louisiana

    • For exemplifying courage and leadership in the aftermath Hurricane Katrina when, despite her own needs, she pulled together resources to obtain critical supplies for families of children and youth with special health care.


    Past Awardees:

    • The Gina Pola-Money & Anthon Money Family (UT)
    • The Daniel and Cheryl Dinnell Family (NV)
    • The Bob and Conni Wells Family (FL)