ABILENE, Texas — The 23rd Annual Champion for Children Conference will be at noon Wednesday, March 23 at the Abilene Convention Center.
Professionals in the field of child abuse from Abilene and the Big Country are welcome to attend, a press release from Champion for Children said.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and organizers would like to remind everyone to do their part and report child abuse.
Each year, award nominations are accepted in four categories: professionals, volunteers, businesses, caregivers and other community partners who go above and beyond in serving the children and families in our community.
The four award winners for this year are:
Community Champion – Rebel Taylor is the advocate and events director for Big Country CASA. Taylor’s organization is vital in planning events such as the 2022 Key Connections Conference and the annual Big Country CASA Superhero 5K Fun. She also played a key part in planning the first Foster Care Simulation event in February 2022.
Child Welfare Champion – Kaycee Robles is the vice president of permanency at 2INgage, where she oversees all conservatorship cases in Taylor and 10 surrounding counties. She also manages the kinship program, training department and community engagement. Beginning in July 2021, 166 children in the community were either reunified with their biological family, adopted or custody was given to a relative.
Frontline Champion – Leigh-Ann Stovall is a juvenile probation officer with Taylor County Juvenile Probation. Stovall is a true public servant, assisting children and families in need by encouraging change, rehabilitation and accountability, while balancing the protection of the community.
Heart of the Champion – Selma Lee is a program supervisor for Big Country CASA. She began as an advocate in 2014, and has been a court appointed special advocate for 22 children. She has shared her knowledge, experience and wisdom, as well has her heart, with the volunteers she supervises, assuring that advocacy for the vulnerable children they oversee is always top priority.
Organizers will recognize the award winners for the important role they play in helping families and children in the community to lead better and safer lives. The winners will be presented with plaques during the conference’s awards luncheon.
