Award Nominations
The LCCWEAR recognizes child serving professionals and WKU students through our three seperate annual awards (listed below). The deadline for nominations is March 15, 2024.
LCCWEAR Student Award for Child Welfare Advocacy
The LCCWEAR Student Award is applicable to any current WKU student, in any degree program.
Criteria: Describe the impact that this WKU student has made upon the child welfare community, and why you believe that they are a strong candidate for the LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research’s Student Award for Child Welfare Advocacy (e.g. please include specific accomplishments and contributions).
The Angela Lane Community Award for Outstanding Leadership in Child Welfare
The Angela Lane Community Award for Outstanding Leadership in Child Welfare is applicable to members of the Kentucky child welfare community who have made a significant impact. Ms. Lane has served the families and children of Kentucky for over 27 years through various leadership roles at the Department for Community Based Services. Additionally, she is dedicated to supporting child welfare professionals. Ms. Lane has invested in Western Kentucky University by serving on various committees, supervising field students, and currently serves on the Advisory Board for LCCWEAR.
Criteria: Describe the impact that this person's leadership has made upon the Kentucky child welfare community, and why you believe that they are a strong candidate for the LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research’s Angela Lane Community Award for Outstanding Leadership in Child Welfare (e.g. please include specific accomplishments and contributions).
The Dr. Austin Griffiths Service Before Self Award
The Dr. Austin Griffiths Service Before Self Award recognizes significant selfless service to the Kentucky child welfare community. “Service before self” is the motto of the U.S. Air Force. It means that one believes professional duties take precedence over personal desires. Dr. Austin Griffiths was first introduced to this concept when he served in the U.S. Air Force. During his military service, he embraced the mission of serving our country, before himself. However, he continued to operationalize this mission, as a civilian, when he began his career as a frontline child welfare worker in 2007. Instead of serving the Air Force, he began serving children and families of Kentucky. Even though Dr. Griffiths left the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in 2013, his service to child welfare, including the child welfare workforce, has not changed. In fact, the research conducted through LCCWEAR, coupled with his student mentorship, will positively impact the lives of KY children and families for years to come. To that end, the Center would like to honor a current or retired child-serving professional who has also dedicated their career to serving families and children.
Criteria: Describe the selfless service that this individual has provided to Kentucky’s child welfare community across at least a 15 year time span, and why you believe that they are a strong candidate for the LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research’s Dr. Austin Griffiths Service Before Self Award (e.g., please include specific accomplishments and contributions). The nominee does not have to be currently employed and may be retired.
Service Before Self Nomination Form
Please reach out to Dr. Austin Griffiths @ austin.griffiths@wku.edu with any questions.
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