D S S P R E S S R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release:
January 29, 2008
Contact: Sara Anderson
(573) 526-0407
DSS Director Receives Child Advocate of the Year Award
Jefferson City – The Department of Social Services today announced that Director Deborah Scott is a recipient of the Child Advocate of the Year Award. The award is presented by the Missouri Alliance for Children, Youth and Families at their annual Child Advocacy Day at the Capitol to those who make a difference in the lives of Missouri's children and families.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized as a child advocate by all of the organizations represented in the alliance. There is no acknowledgement that could be more important to me than to be known as an advocate for those who can not advocate for themselves – our children,” Scott said. “The desire for children to have the opportunity to be all they were meant to be has been at the heart of my entire career. Now, as Director of Social Services, I have been given the distinct privilege to help improve the lives of Missouri’s younger citizens. I take that responsibility very seriously, and I am honored to work with a tremendously dedicated staff and community partners to that end."
The Missouri Alliance for Children, Youth and Families is a statewide network of citizens and community-based organizations with a goal of improving coordination and communication among those concerned with the well-being of Missouri’s children and families. The Alliance works together each year to organize Child Advocacy Day. This day provides the opportunity for advocates to become better informed about upcoming children’s legislation in the Missouri General Assembly. It also allows advocates the opportunity to share their views with legislators.
Each year, the Alliance names one to three people or organizations as the Child Advocate of the Year. This year Scott joins Beth Griffen, Citizens for Missouri’s Children, and Corrine Patton, Missouri Childcare Resource and Children Referral Network, in receiving this award. The three received the awards this morning during the Child Advocacy Day Welcome ceremony.
“Deborah’s passion for children is evident through her work on behalf of all children, but especially those most vulnerable children,” said Terri Foulkes, Co-Chair of the 2008 Child Advocacy Day Leadership Committee. “She has been a catalyst for important change to the systems that support Missouri’s children and youth.”
Two divisions of the DSS work directly with children and youth. The Children’s Division is the state's child welfare agency responsible for child abuse and neglect investigations, foster care, adoption, early childhood programs and many other services ensuring the safety and well being of Missouri children. The Division of Youth Services is the state's juvenile justice agency. It is a national model with one of the lowest recidivism rates in the nation for youth exiting the program.
