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2008 Fall Sessions
Award Nominations
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2008 Spring Sessions
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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. |
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2003
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Harry
Moxley |
|
1999
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Wayne
County FOC for its non-custodial parent program |
|
1998
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Medical
Support Enforcement System (MSES), Wayne County |
|
1997
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Alan
Zoltowski, Office of Midland County Friend of the Court, for creating
Michigan's first IV-D web site |
|
1996
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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
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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.
|
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2003
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Merrell
S. Hazel |
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1999
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Ramona
Fernandez, Washtenaw County |
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1998
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Scott
Teter, Cass County |
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1997
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Cathy
Church, Marquette County |
|
1996
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Marilyn
Stephen, Jackson County |
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1995
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Geoffrey
K. Rettig, Midland County |
| 1994 |
David
Case, Oakland County |
|
1993
|
Ann
Mattson, Washtenaw County |
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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.
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2003
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Patrick
C. Murphy |
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1997
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Katherine
Hufnagel, Clinton County |
|
1995
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Kori
Rolison, Barry County |
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1994
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Kirsten
Bukowski, Otsego County |
|
1993
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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.
|
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2003
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Charlene
K. Baker |
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1999
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Kim
Bateman, Wayne County |
|
1995
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Lynn
Jakubiak, St. Clair County |
| 1994 |
Michael
Day, Allegan County |
|
1993
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Marie
McNamara, Luce County |
|
1992
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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.
|
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2003
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Lois
A. Keoshian |
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1999
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Carl
McCoy, Wayne County |
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1998
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Susan
Fox, Macomb County |
|
1995
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Beverly
Hagerman, Oakland County |
| 1994 |
Edward
J. Staffeld, Jackson County |
|
1993
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Terry
Novakoski, Kent County |
|
1992
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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.
|
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2003
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Sue
Ellen Andrews |
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1998
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Ether
Johnson, Ingham County |
|
1996
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Duke
LaBerge, Ingham County |
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1994
|
Sue
Ellen Andrews |
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1993
|
Joan
Slee |
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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. |
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2003
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Carolyn
Mahaz |
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1997
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Bonnie
DeFrees, Gladwin County
Cathy Zachow, Livingston County |
|
1996
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Pat
Flannery, Barry County |
|
1995
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Nancy
Christ, Wayne County
Cheri Lee, Sanilac County |
| 1994 |
Linda
Marks, Jackson County |
|
1993
|
Mary
Bentley, Lapeer County |
|
1992
|
Mark
J. Authier, Midland County |
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