Putting Families First Awards Held at State Capitol

On April 23, Governor Tony Evers and Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Emilie Amundson honored nine individuals and teams at the first-ever Putting Families First Awards! The ceremony was held at the State Capitol as part of Wisconsin’s celebration of Family Strengthening Month.

This year’s recipients – which included child welfare professionals, parents with lived experience and community partners – were awarded for their transformational work to Put Families First. These awardees have been advocates for families and system change; worked to support families in their homes; invested in collaboration and partnership with families and community partners; and so much more.

This year’s Putting Families First Awards recipients include:

• DeAnna Cobun of Rock County, Parent with Lived Experience

• Jonisha Neita of Milwaukee County, Parent with Lived Experience

• LaMikka James and the “Beehive” Team of Rock County, Parents with Lived Experience

• Lori Radcliffe and the Dunn County Family Treatment Court Team of Dunn County, Community Partner

• Tina Crave of Jefferson County, Community Partner

• Judge Troy Nielsen of Waupaca County, Community Partner

• Autumn Boiteau of Jackson County, Child Welfare Professional

• Nicole Parrish of Milwaukee County, Child Welfare Professional

• Carol Pulkrabek of Pepin County, Child Welfare Professional

For those interested, the ceremony is available to watch on WisconsinEye (under “Featured Programs & Recent Coverage”). A press release covering the event can also be found on DCF’s website, as can additional information about the awards restructure that led to the creation of the Putting Families First Awards.