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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 12 2022

Contact: Jon Ebelt, Public Information Officer, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757, jebelt@mt.gov
Chuck Council, Communications Specialist, DPHHS, (406) 444-4391, (406) 461-8367, hcouncil@mt.gov

Individuals, Organizations Honored for Efforts to Support Montana Children and Families

Foster parents of the year recognized

Foster parents, child protection workers, youth, and non-profit organizations were honored today, Tuesday, April 12, during an awards ceremony as part of the annual Montana Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference sponsored by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).

DPHHS and the Montana Children’s Trust Fund representatives honored individuals and organizations from Kalispell, Missoula, Rosebud County, Billings, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Browning, and Livingston.

The list of awards includes the Jana Elliott Memorial Resource Parents of the Year. This award goes to the foster/adoptive parent(s) who are committed to excellence in working with birth parents and foster/adoptive children. The award is named after the late Jana Elliott, who served the Wolf Point community in myriad ways as both a licensed foster parent and 6^th grade teacher. In 2016 the Wolf Point community took a huge loss when Elliott tragically lost her life in a car accident helping someone in need.

The co-recipients of this award are Scott Meyer and Randi Vanhuss-Meyer of Missoula and Amy Ream of Kalispell.

The Meyer family are entering their fourth year of fostering and have three biological children. During this time, they have fostered 10 children of all ages - from infant to 17-year-olds.

Randi said her first interaction in fostering goes back decades and she knows the positive impact that foster parents can have in a child’s life. “My parents (Mark and Andrea Vanhuss) have been foster parents for about 25 years,” she said. “Being a foster parent, it’s just rewarding to help a child through what is often a very challenging time in their life. We’ve been fortunate to watch the children in our home just blossom. Children just want to be loved and supported, and have a safe and stable home, and we’ve been able to provide that.”

Rhonda Harris of Missoula CFSD office nominated the family for this award. “The Meyers makes a difference in the lives of foster children every day and work as a team to guide, mentor, and engage on a level that is emotional, heartfelt, and full of love,” Harris said. “They are the first to admit the journey is long and full of ups and downs and tears of joy and sorrow. But they are the hardest working advocates for children in foster care and parental reunification that I have had the pleasure to work with.”

Ream said she ‘felt a strong desire to foster or adopt’ well before she became a foster parent. Now, 13 years later, she has accomplished both by fostering 12 children, and most recently adopting a daughter. Through it all, Ream said she’s learned to appreciate the small things. “In the world of foster care, you really focus on the small successes, not just the big ones,” she said. “For some children, turning in their homework or bringing home their lunchbox is a success. For others it's things like going all week with no meltdowns or sleeping through the night. Being a foster parent is not easy, but it is oh-so rewarding. I have built some amazing relationships with some incredible children.”

Sandy Sonju of the Kalispell CFSD office nominated Ream for the award. “I can’t say enough about how important Amy is to foster kids, and to our community,” said Sonju said. “Caseworkers who have worked with Amy describe her as soft spoken, sensitive to the needs of children, and dedicated. She is flexible and able to work outside of the box to meet the needs of children in her care. Amy is a wonderful human being, and it is an honor to work with her.”

The following awards were also presented:

The Youth Achievement of the Year goes to a foster or adoptive youth(s) who exhibits a drive to be successful and makes positive changes in their life. The recipients are Rachel Blanchard, Rosebud County; Michael Schell, Billings; Jacob Helgeson, Missoula; and Ira Henderson, Jr., Great Falls.

The Engaging Families in Positive Change award goes to an individual or individuals who works with families to carry out the mission of CFSD in a manner that is positive and respectful of each family’s strengths. The recipient is Julie Peterson.

The Resiliency Award goes to an individual or team that displays traits that foster a supportive and positive work environment and that embody a healthy work/life balance. This recipient is Amanda Ball, Great Falls.

The Creative Solutions Award goes to an individual or team that utilizes creative problem-solving and resource allocation to better serve children and families. The recipient is April Palmer, Great Falls.
The Progressive Leadership Award goes to an individual(s) who impact positive change for Montana children and families as a role model and by demonstrating a clear understanding of the agency’s role. The recipient is Lyndsee Angelo.

The Practice Model Champion Award goes to an employee(s) who demonstrates excellence in implementing the agency safety model by understanding and executing the guiding principles as the roots that assure permanency and well-being for children and embody a learning culture that influences workforce stability and development. The recipients are Kaelee Ferris, Missoula and Rachele Gregory, Missoula.

The Comeback Parent of the Year Award goes to a parent(s) who became involved with the child welfare system; and exhibited strength, determination, and self-awareness in making positive changes for themselves and their child(ren) in an effort to overcome the conditions that prompted CFSD involvement. This parent’s commitment and engagement in their case plan was a significant catalyst in ensuring their child(ren)’s safety, permanency and well-being; while keeping their family strong. The recipients are Zac Canada, Missoula, and Josie White, Havre.

The Montana Children’s Trust Fund (MTCTF) also presented several awards. MTCTF strategically supports initiatives to effectively strengthen Montana’s families and keep children safe from abuse and neglect. MTCTF honors those who have gone above and beyond to help strengthen children and families.

The awards include:

Pinwheels for Prevention Award: Linda Mettam, Toby’s House Crisis Nursery/ North Central Montana Human Trafficking, Great Falls, and Rie Hargraves, Community Health Partners, Livingston
Strengthening Families Award: Irene Augare, Browning Public School District, Browning, and Sara Silva, Child Care Connections, Helena
Service to Children Award – Outgoing Trust Fund Board Members: Melissa Lavinder, DPHHS, Helena; Patty Butler, Helena; Tracy Moseman, Helena; Kristina Davis, Great Falls; and Scott Wheeler, Kalispell.
Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award: Toby’s House Crisis Nursery, Great Falls