CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE OF AMERICA TO PRESENT CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN AWARD TO RUTH MASSINGA

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27/U.S. Newswire/ –The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) will present its Champion for Children award to Ruth Massinga, former President and Chief Executive Officer the Casey Family Program, at a dinner in Washington, DC on Feb. 28.

Massinga is being given this award for her life's work and dedication to helping at risk children and their families. "CWLA gives this award to that individual who has demonstrated a commitment to caring, encouraging, and insuring that children are nurtured, kept safe and given every opportunity to succeed," said Shay Bilchik, President and CEO of the Child Welfare League of America.

Massinga currently serves as chair of the board for the Marguerite Casey Foundation, an independent grant-making organization established by Casey Family Programs in 2001. The two Seattle-based foundations are strategic partners that share a focus on children in-or at risk of entering-the nation's child welfare system. She is also co-chair of the board of The Finance Project based in Washington, D.C., and is a board member of The New School Foundation, as well as the Alliance for Education in Seattle.

In 2005, The American Public Human Services Association recognized Massinga for her lifetime contributions to the field of human services by presenting her with its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award. In her more than 30 years in the child welfare arena, Massinga has championed the needs of children and families at the national, regional, and local level.

Since 1920, the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) has been the nation's pre-eminent organization dedicated to ensuring that disadvantaged and vulnerable children are protected from harm and have the tools and resources they need to grow into the healthy and happy adults we want them to become. CWLA is the trusted authority for professionals who work with children and the only national organization with members from both public and private agencies, providing unique access and influence to all sectors of the children's services field.