MFSC Past Conference Awards

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Past Conference Awards

In 1992 the Michigan Family Support Council developed an awards program to recognize outstanding contributions and dedication to the Michigan domestic relations field. A committee selects individuals and/or programs from nominees submitted from our statewide membership in the following categories. View our roster of Honorees:

2007 Awards

In recognition of their exemplary contribution and service to the Michigan Child Support Program the Michigan Family Support Council presents to:

2007 Outstanding Achievement Award (name pending)
2007 Outstanding Prosecuting Attorney's Office Award (name pending)
2007 Prosecuting Attorney's Office Award (name pending)
2007 Friend of the Court's Office Award (name pending)
2007 Outstanding Office of Child Support Award (name pending)
2007 Outstanding Office of Child Support Award (name pending)
2007 Judicial Award (name pending)

2006 Awards

In recognition of their exemplary contribution and service to the Michigan Child Support Program the Michigan Family Support Council presents to:

LONG DISTANCE COMMUTERS FOR THE OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT the 2006 Outstanding Achievement Award
TERRI BAUER the 2006 Outstanding Prosecuting Attorney's Office Award
COSSEA KENNEY the 2006 Prosecuting Attorney's Office Award
LUANNE ALLEN the 2006 Friend of the Court's Office Award
CASE ESTABLISHMENT DEPARTMENT TEAM OF WAYNE COUNTY the 2006 Friend of the Court's Office Award
SYBIL DINNAN the 2006 Outstanding Office of Child Support Award
MARCIE PRATHER the 2006 Outstanding Office of Child Support Award
MAURA CORRIGAN the 2006 Judicial Award

2005 Awards

EMMET COUNTY FRIEND OF THE COURT OFFICE - Outstanding Achievement Award

GARY RAPP - Outstanding Prosecutor Award

KIM LEPOUDRE - Prosecutor Staff Award (award accepted on Kim's behalf)

KATHY COX -Friend of the Court Award

SUSAN FOX - Friend of the Court Staff Award (award accepted on Susan's behalf)

CAROL KRAKLAN - Outstanding Office of Child Support Award

BARBARA SURMA - Outstanding Office of Child Support Field Staff Award

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

2004	Karen Robinson, Jackson County Friend of the Court This individual has more than 19 years in the business of child support in this state. Part of this time was spent with the State Court Administrator's Office while the remainder has been in the front lines of Friend of the Court work. This person has consistently taken the lead in major office projects and has been the "go to" person for major state initiatives. They are described as the quiet, reliable type who gets the job done with integrity and without fanfare. Her job duties include personnel management; development, implementation and operation of office computer systems; drafting and monitoring the office budget; interpretation and application of court rules and office policies; educational program development; establishing and maintaining auditing controls; work flow design; records management; and oversight of general office operations. The chief Judge of the circuit where this individual is employed describes them as the reliable and invaluable resource and leader in the constantly changing and challenging FOC environment, who has played a crucial role in improving service to the public.
2003	Harry Moxley
1999	Wayne County FOC for its non-custodial parent program
1998	Medical Support Enforcement System (MSES), Wayne County
1997	Alan Zoltowski, Office of Midland County Friend of the Court, for creating Michigan's first IV-D web site
1996	Detroit Lions/Office of Child Support public relations project, "Fatherhood Can Be Child's Play", received by Eileen Schraben
1995	William D. Camden, Kent County Friend of the Court
1993	Dr. Henry Gershowitz of National Legal Labs
1992	S.M.I.L.E. (Start Making It Livable For Everyone) Program, received by Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Sosnick

OUTSTANDING PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

2004	Mary Beth Kur, Charlevoix County This award recipient is described by staff as a role model in both their professional and personal lives. They are noted as having a wealth of experience, abilities, service to others, and passion as a prosecutor that is unparalleled by any other attorney. Prosecuting a homicide is made to look easy by this individual, along with having a passion for the office child support division. They are described as a leader who truly understands that a happy employee is a productive employee, while still having faith that staff will step forward and accomplish what needs to be done. This person has fully supported a community outreach program that was developed to educate the community and willingly accept cases and inquiries, so that no one is turned	away or left without options. Under this person's leadership the office policy has developed to establish paternity for every child who comes through the office and the increase in orders is a testament to that effort.
2003	Merrell S. Hazel
1999	Ramona Fernandez, Washtenaw County
1998	Scott Teter, Cass County
1997	Cathy Church, Marquette County
1996	Marilyn Stephen, Jackson County
1995	Geoffrey K. Rettig, Midland County
1994	David Case, Oakland County
1993	Ann Mattson, Washtenaw County
1992	Richard Santoni, Kalamazoo County

OUTSTANDING PROSECUTING ATTORNEY STAFF

2004	Cheryl Gines, Child Support Coordinator Kalkaska County This year's recipient has been in the front lines of child support establishment for more than 18 years. They are described by the County Prosecuting Attorney as having equal parts of knowledge, experience, diligence, hard work, kindness and understanding with love of children and a commitment to their well being in the forefront. The Family Court Judge of this person's county describes them as a self-starter who is very conscientious, competent, and hard working, along with being very thorough in their work. Even the local Friend of the Court office recognizes the outstanding contributions this person has made to the children of their community by describing them as extremely knowledgeable, professional in every sense,	and always available to assist FOC staff when questions arise. They also note that in addition to that professionalism this person has a kind and giving nature.
2003	Patrick C. Murphy
1997	Katherine Hufnagel, Clinton County
1995	Kori Rolison, Barry County
1994	Kirsten Bukowski, Otsego County
1993	Ronda Patrick, Ionia County
1992	Lisa Selleck, Shiawassee County

OUTSTANDING FRIEND OF THE COURT

2004	George Ebenhoeh, Charlevoix County The 2004 Friend of the Court Award is being presented to an individual with nearly 30 years serving the families of his community. This person has promoted the theory that the Friend of the Court office exists to ensure financial support for children, to facilitate both parents spending time with their children, and to teach parents to communicate at a level that would allow them to manage their own affairs. This individual is described by his Circuit Judge as one of the most experienced and knowledgeable Friends in the state. The office policies and procedures established by this recipient have been copied in Friend of the Court offices throughout Michigan, due to the high degree of logic that went into creating them. This type of leadership	has been a key element in this person's approach to operating through the complex issues surrounding Friend of the Court work, and the respect that other Friends offer is evidence of his leadership.
2003	Charlene K. Baker
1999	Kim Bateman, Wayne County
1995	Lynn Jakubiak, St. Clair County
1994	Michael Day, Allegan County
1993	Marie McNamara, Luce County
1992	William Thistlewait, St. Joseph County

OUTSTANDING FRIEND OF THE COURT STAFF

2004	Mary Jo Carroccio, Supervisor, Ingham County Another 30-year employee is about to be recognized for the Friend of the Court Staff Award. During those 30 years this person has literally trained and supervised an entire generation of FOC employees, for whom her patience, hard work, and dedication have set an outstanding example of commitment to the families of her community and state. This person has talents within FOC operational perspectives that are respected throughout Michigan. Her demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the extremely complex and ever changing area of Interstate Enforcement has made her the "go to" person in Michigan and has left a long trail of children being properly supported as a	result of her efforts. This person's unflagging optimism, patience and willingness to always turn the other cheek when confronted with a difficult situation is a testament to her professional competence.
2003	Lois A. Keoshian
1999	Carl McCoy, Wayne County
1998	Susan Fox, Macomb County
1995	Beverly Hagerman, Oakland County
1994	Edward J. Staffeld, Jackson County
1993	Terry Novakoski, Kent County
1992	Tina Rounds, Bay County

OUTSTANDING OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT

2004	Mike McCormick, Area Manager OCS The person selected, as this year's recipient of the Outstanding Office of Child Support Award is well deserving of the honor. With nearly 25 years in the child support business he has established himself as a leader and a person who is respected throughout the child support community. He is described as a devoted worker and strong advocate for both clientele and colleagues. His compassion and empathy were never more apparent than during the Office of Child Support field staff centralization when he worked long hours, many miles from his home and family. During this period he offered comfort, insight and	understanding to his staff. By this type of caring, dedication, and selflessness he has shown himself to be an outstanding leader and a person who is looked up to be all.
2003	Sue Ellen Andrews
1998	Ether Johnson, Ingham County
1996	Duke LaBerge, Ingham County
1994	Sue Ellen Andrews
1993	Joan Slee
1992	Andrew Frederick

OUTSTANDING OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT STAFF

2004	Dick Wood, Child Support Specialist Lead Worker Central Operations This recipient has many years of service to Michigan, to the child support community, and is most deserving of the Outstanding Office of Child Support Field Staff Award. He is described as a caring and compassionate lead worker who is constantly putting the needs of others ahead of himself. During times of staffing shortages he has willingly accepted the additional responsibility of managing a full caseload along with his normal duties. This person does a superb job, with no expectation of reward or acknowledgement of his efforts, and is a credit to all that is good in the child support arena.
2003	Carolyn Mahaz
1997	Bonnie DeFrees, Gladwin County Cathy Zachow, Livingston County
1996	Pat Flannery, Barry County
1995	Nancy Christ, Wayne County Cheri Lee, Sanilac County
1994	Linda Marks, Jackson County
1993	Mary Bentley, Lapeer County
1992	Mark J. Authier, Midland County