CONTACTS:
James Lee
The Lee Strategy Group
(ph) 310-229-5771
(fax) 310-229-5772
Email: jlee@leestrategy.com
Kelly Pijl
Children and Families Commission
(ph) 714-834-5186
(cell) 714-390-9567
Email: kelly.pijl@ocgov.com
For Immediate Release
April 09, 2003
Orange County Child
Abuse Prevention Efforts Recognized With National Award
Given to Children and Families Commission Member Larry
Leaman
Only One Individual From Each State
Chosen for Annual Award by Administration on Children,
Youth and Families
IRVINE, CA - (April 9, 2003) - Selected
in recognition of his efforts for the prevention of child
abuse and neglect, Larry Leaman, a member of the Children
and Families Commission of Orange County and former director
of the Orange County Social Services Agency, was awarded
the 2003 Commissioner's Award from the Administration
on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) joining a select
group of individuals in receiving national recognition
in this important area.
"I am honored for the recognition of the important work
we are doing in preventing children from becoming victims
from abuse and neglect," Leaman said. "The work ahead
remains substantial for parents, caregivers, educators
and healthcare providers alike and I am grateful for the
opportunity to work with my fellow Commissioners in helping
to bring focus to our efforts in identifying and preventing
child abuse and neglect."
The award, presented by the ACYF, a department in the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is given
to a single individual from each state and U.S. territory
in recognition of their efforts to combat child abuse
and neglect. Leaman was presented the award for his past
work at the Orange County Social Services Agency at ceremonies
during the 14th National Conference on Child Abuse and
Neglect in St. Louis, Missouri.
"This is a tremendous honor that speaks highly of Larry's
tireless efforts and hard work in this area," said Crystal
Kochendorfer, chair of Children and Families Commission
of Orange County. "We are pleased that his accomplishments
are being recognized on a national stage and grateful
for the insights and counsel he has provided the Commission
in our ongoing efforts to tackles these problems here
at home."
As part of the Children and Families Commission of Orange
County, Leaman has worked with his fellow commissioners
to develop and support a broad range of programs dealing
with pediatric health, safety and injury prevention, including
the Commission's Injury Prevention Initiative, which focuses
on developing programs and strategies aimed at reducing
and eliminating injuries to children. These can range
from accidents in cars and at home to neglect and abuse
from caregivers.
According to recent statistics, nearly 26,000 child abuse
and neglect cases were reported in Orange County alone
in 2002. Instances of abuse and neglect can range from
physical violence and emotional abuse to malnourishment
and lack of adult supervision in potentially hazardous
situations. Studies have shown that child abuse accounts
for more fatalities than accidental falls, choking on
food, suffocation or fires in the home with head trauma
the leading cause of death among babies, including those
injured from shaken baby syndrome.
Leaman was first appointed to the Commission in 1999 and
also served as the interim director of the Orange County
Health Care Agency. His 20-plus years of service to County
has involved almost every aspect of social services. Leaman
also has served on the board of directors for the Southern
California Counties Regional Child Welfare Training and
Education Center, the County Welfare Directors Association,
and the State of California Child Welfare Budgeting and
Caseload Advisory Group.
Leaman was the founding President of the Southern Area
Consortium of Human Services (SACHS), a multi-county research,
advocacy and collaborative organization. Leaman has previously
testified before both the California Legislature and Congress
on key issues such as refugee program funding, welfare
dependency, child welfare, in-home supportive services,
and immigration.
He received is masters in business administration from
California State University, Fullerton.
The Children and Families Commission of Orange County
was created as a result of Proposition 10, the California
Children and Families Act of 1998. The proposition added
a 50-cent sales tax on tobacco products sold in California
and requires that funds raised be used to support education,
health and childcare programs promoting healthy early
childhood development from the prenatal stage to age five.
The Children and Families Commission of Orange County
is responsible for overseeing the allocation of tobacco
tax revenues received annually from the State Commission.
For more information, please see the Commission's website
at www.occhildrenandfamilies.com.
Legal