Awards
The Family Preservation Institute has created two new awards to recognize contributions to the field of Social Work and a nomination process to honor individuals deserving of recognition within the profession. To nominate an individual or agency please submit a (250 word maximum) statement explaining how the individual or agency exemplifies family preservation values and principles as demonstrated by Bill Underwood (for individuals) or Kaleidoscope, Inc (for agencies). The deadline for nominations is June 8th, 2007. Nominate your preference for Individual or Agency here .
The Bill Underwood Innovation Award
The Bill Underwood Innovation Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies creative and courageous work with families. This annual award is given each year at the national Family Preservation Conference. Any individual or agency may complete a nomination form for consideration by the Family Preservation Institute Advisory Board.
Bill Underwood was the type of Human Services professional who downplayed his multiple educational degrees, accomplishments and awards, in favor of taking career-long joy in the accomplishments of others– especially those children and families on whom others had given up! Bill was never a “yes man”. He was an enormously energetic, creative and forward-thinking individual. Throughout his career he questioned, challenged, and pushed himself, others and systems to be better and to do better for the children, youth and families we serve.
As a native Arkansan, Bill began his Human Services career with individuals institutionalized with developmental disabilities. Eventually he became the Assistant Director of the Arkansas Division of Developmental Disabilities. In 1985 he was tapped to carry out the Arkansas legislative mandate to return foster children from out-of-state residential treatment. It was in that endeavor that his passion for Family Preservation - returning and keeping children and youth with their own families and communities - flourished with successful outcomes for virtually all of the 60 youth returned. During that period, Bill was centrally involved in founding the Family Preservation Institute.
Bill's expertise and commitment soon raised him to national attention and prominence as a program designer and consultant. He worked with the Child and Adolescent Service Systems Program (CASSP) and Children's Mental Health Systems of Care initiatives on a national basis and consulted with families and agencies throughout the United States . Though his later career years he maintained levels of idealism and vigor which continue to serve as a model of excellence and inspiration.
Kaleidoscope Award
Kaleidoscope, Inc., founded by Karl Dennis, was the first child welfare agency in the country to provide unconditional care for children and families. The agency was one of the originators of intensive family preservation services known as wraparound services. The AIDS program was one of the first in the U.S. and still serves as a model program. Kaleidoscope, Inc. orchestrated state initiatives to return thousands of children from out-of-state placements to their families. The wraparound approach has been shared with families and agencies around the world including, Australia, China, Canada, Romania, Great Britain, and New Zealand. Applying the principles core to Kaleidoscope and through creative and unconditional care, thousands of families have been able to enjoy each other and stay together. For this and the innovative application of policies and practices to benefit families, the Family Preservation Institute created this award to recognize family centered creative and courageous agencies.
Past Family Preservation Institute Award Recipients
2006
Bill Underwood Innovation Award: Karen Brown
Kaleidoscope Award: Nancy Chavkin
Director's Award: Joyce James
2005
Susan Rogers
New Horizons STAR. Program
2004
Thomas Chapmond
Patricia R. Cox
Wendy Dietenbeck
2003
Robn Traugott
2002
Rafael Aguirre
Eddie Bowers
2001
Sharon Alpert
Karl Dennis
Joel Levine
2000
Irma Palomino
Judy Popejoy
Maria Scannapieco
John Ronnau
Alvin Sallee
1999
Kathy Briar-Lawson
Joe Woodard
Michelle Campolla
Cathy Duke-Givens
Richard Longoria
1998
Patti Derr
Gay Munsell
Beverly Booker
Joel McLain
1998
Mark Swanson
Michael Redden
June Lloyd
Susan Rogers