The Blue Ribbon Champion for Safe Kids Award is presented to individuals who are highly dedicated to protecting children from abuse.

Harrisburg, Pa.– Pa Family Support Alliance (PFSA), the state’s leader in child abuse prevention, today awarded 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 Pennsylvania’s children.

Wilcox is the Director of Sullivan County Children & Youth Services. She joined the county 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, wellbeing and safety.”  

Throughout her 25-year tenure as Sullivan County Children & Youth Services 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 Pennsylvania 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 today. A few pictures and short b-roll clips from today’s ceremony can be found here.

PFSA was joined by Secretary Arkoosh, DHS Deputy Secretary Laval Miller-Wilson and local and state elected officials during today’s 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 Pennsylvania 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.

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About Pa Family Support Alliance

Pa Family Support Alliance prevents child abuse and protects children from harm by helping parents learn positive parenting techniques, educating professionals and volunteers who work with children to recognize and report child abuse, and helping community members learn how they can play a positive role in keeping children safe. To learn more about our programs, schedule a training, or donate, please visit pafsa.org, or call 800-448-4906.