Voices for Virginia’s Children has named the honorees of the 2018 Carol S. Fox MAKING KIDS COUNT Awards. The MAKING KIDS COUNT award recognizes Virginia individuals and organizations for exemplary efforts to improve the lives of children in the commonwealth.
This year’s honorees are Linda Nablo, of Richmond, a tireless advocate for access to children’s health care, and Children’s Home Society of Virginia, a statewide nonprofit organization that works to provide permanent adoptive homes and support services to families, adoptive families, and adoptees.
Linda Nablo has been a health care advocate, public policy leader, and effective educator and implementer of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for most of her career. From travelling the state to educate families about the insurance to working to eliminate barriers to enrollment, Linda has been instrumental in improving the health of thousands of children. Because of her success in Virginia, she was tapped to lead all the states’ CHIP programs, covering 9 million children, for the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Linda then returned to Virginia as the Chief Deputy Director at the Department of Medical Assistance Services. Though technically retired, Linda has once again been called into service as Special Advisor to the Governor to assist with the implementation of Medicaid expansion.
Children’s Home Society of Virginia (CHS) has a mission to build strong, permanent families and lifelong relationships for Virginia’s at-risk children and youth. Since 1900, CHS has facilitated the adoption of more than 13,500 children. Today, CHS works with Virginia’s most vulnerable children and youth, from infants whose birth mothers are homeless and have substance use disorders to at-risk young people who have aged out of the foster care system with no family connections. By recognizing the needs of the community and tailoring its programs to meet those needs, CHS has changed the lives of thousands of young people in Virginia.
The 7th Annual Carol S. Fox Making Kids Count Awards Reception will take place 6pm on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the John Marshall Ballrooms in Richmond. In attendance will be a host of child advocates, community leaders, Voices friends and supporters, program directors, elected officials and others who share a common purpose – improving the lives of Virginia’s children.
Thank you to our Title Sponsor for the 2018 event, Dominion Energy, and Reception Sponsor, AT&T. Other sponsorships are still available. If interested, please take a look at our sponsorship packet and contact Michael Brown at michael@vakids.org or call 804-649-0184 ext. 108 for more information.
