PA Family Support Alliance (PFSA), the state’s leader in child abuse prevention, on Tuesday, April 2 awarded Sullivan County Children and Youth Services (CYS) Director Lisa K. Wilcox with the Blue Ribbon Champion for Safe Kids Award.

This award is given to four individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support and protect PA’s children.

Wilcox joined Sullivan County’s CYS Department in 1996 as a casework supervisor and became the agency’s director in 1999.

“Thanks to Lisa’s diligent work in protecting children from abuse and neglect, many children and families throughout Sullivan County are protected,” said Angela Liddle, president and CEO of PFSA. “She has a heart for children and works every day to ensure that they can grow and thrive in environments free of abuse and neglect. Families and children in Sullivan County benefit from Lisa’s commitment to their health, well-being and safety.”

Throughout her 25-year tenure as Sullivan County CYS director, Wilcox has implemented several evidence-based and other programs to help prevent child abuse and neglect throughout the county.

These programs are designed to give families and children the tools to ensure their health and safety.

With the Sullivan and Bradford sheriffs’ offices, Wilcox played a leading role in the founding of Camp F.L.E.A. (Family Life Enrichment Adventure) for at-risk children ages 9-12 to give them the opportunity to participate in a camping experience.

Now in its 25th year, Camp F.L.E.A. has been attended by nearly 1,000 children.

She also helped create the Seeds of Hope program to help those in need receive gently-used appliances and furniture, and she and her staff annually organize an Angel Tree program to ensure children throughout Sullivan County receive gifts each Christmas.

In honor of this accomplishment, PFSA and Secretary Valerie Arkoosh of the PA Department of Human Services recognized Wilcox in front of a packed audience of lawmakers, members of the media, child advocates and students in the Capitol Rotunda.

PFSA was joined by Arkoosh, DHS Deputy Secretary Laval Miller-Wilson and local and state elected officials during the ceremony, which kicks off National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Each year, PFSA hosts activities and events throughout the commonwealth to increase awareness about the need for individuals to learn about the warning signs of abuse and neglect.

According to the 2022 PA Department of Human Services’ Annual Child Protective Services Report, there were 4,992 substantiated cases of child abuse, 60 substantiated fatalities and 138 substantiated near fatalities.

From The Rocket-Courier, April 3, 2024