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Victims' Rights Awards:

Delores Spearman Presented with the Senator Howard Futch Memorial Leadership Award by State Attorney Norman Wolfinger

The following are some of the comments made by State Attorney Norm Wolfinger before presenting the Senator Howard Futch Memorial Leadership Award to Delores Spearman, VP of Fundraising, Friends of the Children's Advocacy Center of Brevard:

Howard Futch, for whom this Award is named, was no shrinking violet and he accomplished many, many things. But there is more than one way to move people forward. Howard led loudly. Our recognition today goes today to someone who leads quietly.

This individual has a passion for the people of her community and when she sees a need, she sees it as her duty to do her part to answer that need. She and her family are rooted in public service.

She volunteers, and when I say volunteers I mean works actively, on more than a dozen different boards and agencies in Brevard County. Chances are, even if you haven't met her, you have been the recipient of some of her endeavors whether it is in the area of arts, history, or the protection of victims.

And even the victims she has assisted range from the most innocent children served by the Children's Advocacy Center to the victims of homelessness and the victims of mental disabilities.

As an example, I'll cite a recent appreciation reception hosted by the Friends of Children's Advocacy Center of Brevard. The reception was to thank Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, for their efforts on behalf of Children's Advocacy Centers across Florida. Mike Haridopolos had secured $3.2 million in funding for the 25 centers, a first-time ever fete. [Note: Delores and Guy Spearman are credited with arranging Senator Haridopolos' visit to the Children's Advocacy Center of Brevard, a visit that helped focus attention on the work done by our local Advocacy Center, and ultimately on the centers throughout the state.]

This woman serves as the vice-president for fundraising for the Friends of the Children's Advocacy Center, and she is one of her own best customers, as says a co-volunteer who reports "not only does she organize the fundraisers, but she writes her own checks like nobody's business!"

We're not the first to recognize the many good deeds and work of the woman for whom we have prepared this award, and we won't be the last. In fact, just last year, she was recognized as the Florida Today Citizen of the Year.

Please join me in applauding the fantastic Delores Spearman, our Senator Howard Futch Memorial Leadership Award recipient.

From left: Brevard County Sheriff's Office Agent Cynthia Young; State Attorney's Office Receptionist Kathy Dudley; South Brevard Women's Center Volunteer Receptionist Diane Reid; Assistant State Attorney Andrew Pickett, standing in for ASA Bill Respess; former Attorney Gen. Robert Butterworth; Delores Spearman; Linda McKnight, standing in for Col. Danny McKnight (Retired); State Attorney Norm Wolfinger; Sexual Assault Victim Services Advocate Christina Vinson ; and Titusville Police Department's Victim Advocate, Michelle Glover.

Two from the Child Protection Team Recognized for Extraordinary Service to Children

Mary E. Stockett, M.D., was awarded the Healthcare Individual award, and Jeanie L. Bondy, was awarded the Social Service Individual award by the Child Abuse Prevention Task Force at its annual Child Abuse Prevention Awards banquet on April 14, 2011.

Dr. Mary Stockett & Tracy Little, President, Child Abuse Prevention Task Force. Dr. Stockett is an expert in child abuse and neglect matters, including drug-exposed children and serves as the Medical Director for the Child Protection Team at the Children's Advocacy Center of Brevard, a post she accepted in 2005 after her already long affiliation with CPT.

Dr. Stockett has earned a reputation not only for her knowledge but her outstanding ability to communicate the most complicated information to professionals and lay people alike. She is oftentimes observed turning chaos into calm and confusion into understanding when talking with parents. Her clarity of purpose only serves to provide the best possible service to child victims of abuse. During calendar year 2010, Dr. Stockett personally completed 198 of 582 physical examinations, and 163 of 294 medical consultations performed by the Child Protection Team.

A recognized speaker at the local, state and national levels, since last spring, Dr. Stockett has made presentations on a subject she feels has not receive enough awareness, that of Safe Infant Sleeping. She has made it her personal goal to present the message to health professionals at all of Brevard's hospitals and is now speaking at pediatricians' offices so that they can, in turn, provide the latest information to their patients with infants.

As a member of the Brevard County Child Abuse Death Review Committee, Dr. Stockett provides unique insight into tragic situations. She is also an active member of the Advocacy Center's Operations Advisory Board.

Dr. Mary Stockett is an invaluable asset to the Child Protection Team and the community of Brevard.

Jeanie Bondy & Tracy Little, President, Child Abuse Prevention Task Force Jeanie Bondy is the Casework Supervisor of the Child Protection Team. She began her tenure with CPT in 1999, making her the longest continually serving employee of the team. Her training and experience makes her the most skilled interviewer of children in Brevard County, and she is often requested by name to handle specific cases, especially the most complex and sensitive. In addition to children, she is equally adept at working with developmentally delayed adults.

She trains all new staff and actively portrays her philosophy of putting the children first — setting a high standard for others to follow. In the Brevard community, she is recognized as an expert in Child Safety Assessment. During calendar year 2010, Ms. Bondy personally conducted and or supervised over 1,000 cases and the provision of over 1,600 direct services to child abuse victims.

Her genuine caring approach carries over in all that she does. She never asks "what's in it for me" when she volunteers for outside activities to promote the work of the Child Protection Team and the Children's Advocacy Center of Brevard. Whether it is making presentations, providing training or participating in other child abuse prevention activities, Ms. Bondy is usually the first to step up to the task.

Jeanie Bondy is a unique mix of knowledge, experience, skill and compassion, making her a respected member of the Child Protection Team.

Jamie Johnson is a SuperStar

Jamie Johnson, SuperStar In August Jamie Johnson was selected as a Gold Star award winner from Wuesthoff Non-Acute Services, which consists of the Children's Advocacy Center/Child Protection Team, Home Medical Equipment, Hospice, Homecare, etc. (see story in News & Events). Now she's done it again, only this time Jamie was named a SuperStar/Associate of the Year.

Jamie is the Accountant for the Children's Advocacy Center and Child Protection Team, a title that doesn't begin to describe all she does for the child welfare organization.

At the end of the year, the 12 Gold Star recipients from Medical Center Rockledge, Medical Center Melbourne, and Non-Acute Services are eligible to receive the Wuesthoff/HMA top award: SuperStar/Associate of the Year. In March, the three Associates of the Year were announced and Jamie was selected as the SuperStar associate for non-acute services. Daniel Ladd, Medical Center Melbourne, and Kyle Hasbrouck, Medical Center Rockledge, were also SuperStar/Associate of the Year winners.

"These awards recognize the best of the best," said Chuck Biehl, Director of the Children's Advocacy Center and Child Protection Team. "I nominated Jamie for the Gold Star award last year because she is the epitome of a 'go to' person. Her being named a SuperStar isn't a surprise to me; I've known it for years. I'm just happy her daily efforts and outstanding contributions are recognized throughout the Wuesthoff/HMA system."

The selection process is similar to that of the Gold Star award—managers from throughout the healthcare system form a selection committee and determine the winners.

Congratulations, Jamie!

Jamie Johnson Awarded Gold Star

Bill Hines and Jamie Johnson Child Protection Team/Children's Advocacy Center Accounting Coordinator Jamie Johnson was recognized as Wuesthoff Health Services August Gold Star.

Jamie was recognized for her outstanding job performance, a willingness to help others and a positive attitude. "She is hardworking, devoted and a very motivational and positive force in our office. I rate her in the top five of all employees that I have ever worked with," said Chuck Biehl, Director of the Child Protection Team and Children's Advocacy Center.

Jamie has the ability to find a bright side in every situation. She could be having the worst set of circumstances but she appears to be having the best day of her life. It makes you feel good to be around her.

Working in a small office requires the ability to multi-task, something that Jamie does exceptionally well. Daily she performs tasks that are outside the scope of her title, completing each with her usual extraordinary professionalism.

Jamie joined Wuesthoff in July 1998 and has spent the vast majority of her Wuesthoff career working for the Child Protection Team at the Children's Advocacy Center.

Pictured with Jamie is Bill Hines, Administrator of Wuesthoff Medical Center, Melbourne, who presented her with the Gold Star award.

Thank You Thursday Award Presented

Jeanie Bondy, Casework Supervisor with the Child Protection Team Jeanie Bondy, Casework Supervisor with the Child Protection Team at the Children's Advocacy Center of Brevard, was presented with a Wuesthoff Thank You Thursday award on July 22, 2010.

A Wuesthoff associate since 1996, Jeanie has been at Child Protection Team of Brevard (CPT) since June 1999. She is responsible for the training and supervision of six case coordinators, as well as managing the overall caseload of CPT.

Jeanie was nominated by Chuck Biehl, Director of the Child Protection Team and the Children's Advocacy Center. In his nomination, Chuck notes that Jeanie is a dedicated professional who, without exception, is the first to volunteer for additional projects. Her "child first" philosophy means that she keeps the needs of the child victim at the forefront in all that she does. Such a philosophy makes her an extraordinary CPT representative in the Brevard community.

The Child Protection Team provides services to child abuse victims, which primarily include medical examinations and consultations, forensic and specialized interviews, case staffing, psychological examinations and consultations, and psychosocial assessments. Annually, CPT opens approximately 1,200 cases resulting in 1,600 or more individual services. The reports generated from these services are made directly to local law enforcement, the Office of the State Attorney and the Department of Children and Families. The Child Protection Team is a core leadership partner of the Children's Advocacy Center of Brevard.