Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Efforts Recognized With National Award Given to Children and Families Commission Member Larry Leaman.News Editors/Political Writers IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 2003 Only One Individual From Each State Chosen for Annual Award by Administration on Children, Youth and Families 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 social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales Agency, was awarded the 2003 Commissioner's Award from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF ACYF Administration on Children, Youth and Families ACYF All China Youth Federation ), 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 of 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 Noun 1. Department of Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979 Health and Human Services, HHS , 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. 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 pediatric /pe·di·at·ric/ (pe?de-at´rik) pertaining to the health of children. pe·di·at·ric adj. Of or relating to pediatrics. 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 mal·nour·ish·ment n. Malnutrition. 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 suffocation: see asphyxia. or fires in the home with head trauma the leading cause of death among babies, including those injured from shaken baby syndrome Shaken Baby Syndrome Definition Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a collective term for the internal head injuries a baby or young child sustains from being violently shaken. . 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 case·load n. The number of cases handled in a given period, as by an attorney or by a clinic or social services agency. caseload Noun 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 immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. . He received his master's in business administration from California State University, Fullerton California State University, Fullerton, commonly known as CSUF, CSU Fullerton, or Cal State Fullerton, is a part of the California State University system. The University is located in the city of Fullerton, California, in northern Orange County. . 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 sales tax, levy on the sale of goods or services, generally calculated as a percentage of the selling price, and sometimes called a purchase tax. It is usually collected in the form of an extra charge by the retailer, who remits the tax to the government. 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. |
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