Tyler has now been placed into a safe residential environment and is now in foster care doing exceptionally well.
Tyler
15 years old
Newsroom - State Honors Daniel Williams
Monday, June 23, 2008
Barium Springs, NC
Daniel Williams, a family teacher at Barium Springs Home for Children was recently honored by the Children and Family Services Association for North Carolina (CFSA-NC). He received the Forget-Me-Not award for Excellence in Direct Care Services. As a Family-Teacher, Daniel works directly with children in our group homes. Each home provides care for 4 to 6 children in a family style setting where teachers like Daniel demonstrate healthy family behavior, and teach important social skills.
The Children and Family Services Association of NC presented Daniel's award at the Annual Conference at the Riverfront Convention Center in April. Each year, the Children and Family Services Association-NC presents awards to six outstanding individuals who have achieved excellence in their field of children's services.
Child welfare is challenging work and the special people who commit their lives to making sure North Carolina's at-risk children are not forgotten, are often the ones who do not receive the recognition they deserve. The "Forget Me Not" awards is an opportunity to highlight the extraordinary service these individuals provide that make a profound difference in the lives of the children they serve," said John Koppelmeyer, CFSA-NC trustee chair. Nominations for the awards were received from nationally accredited private child welfare provider agencies across North Carolina.
Children and Family Services Association-NC is an association of nationally accredited member agencies who provide quality critical care to North Carolina's most vulnerable children and families. From counseling to residential treatment to Foster Care and Adoption. CFSA-NC members strive to provide the best possible care to children who have experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse as well as children who experience an array of mental health needs.
Chris Steeb, Director of Group Homes had this to say about Daniel. "As an individual Family-Teacher, Daniel has successfully served some of North Carolina's most challenging youth throughout his three years of service with Barium Springs Home for Children. Daniel goes above and beyond to meet youth needs in creative manners. A great example occurred while working in a level III home in the community. Daniel recognized the enjoyment that youth had in riding bikes. While the home had plenty of bikes, the only place youth could ride the bikes was the small driveway of the group home, due to its small yard and location on a busy road. Daniel and the group home youth, spent months clearing brush, digging up rocks and stumps, and moving earth to create a bike trail through the woods. That bike trail became a source of pride for all the youth who helped create it, and the boys eagerly gave visitors tours and demonstrations. Most importantly, all of the boys learned social skills and relationship building skills through the process of the trail construction, and all were discharged to return home, or step down to foster care.
Building the bike trail clearly illustrates the traits that make Daniel so deserving of this award. Daniel was willing to advocate for what he felt the children could achieve. Daniel saw it as a good learning and fun opportunity for youth. Daniel saw an opportunity to motivate youth and give them a sense of accomplishment. Daniel is genuinely selfless and completely dedicated to the youth he serves. Daniel is able to establish trust in youth because he always works when scheduled, and always comes to work with a positive attitude. Daniel focuses on youth rather than himself, and treats youth, and their families with respect. He is always optimistic and focuses on the strengths of our youth."