Home > Conference Calendar > 13th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect > Commissioner's Award Book > Minnesota

Minnesota

Robert Sawyer Director Child and Family Services Division Olmsted County Community Services 2116 Campus Drive, SE Rochester, MN 55904

Robert Sawyer has been an unparalleled leader in developing and implementing innovative child protection practices in Minnesota. For more than 30 years, he has made significant contributions to improving practice to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and families. His leadership has made Olmsted County a model for child protection practice, and he is respected both within his agency and throughout the State as an outstanding and innovative leader. His efforts have made a clear difference in the lives of abused and neglected children in Minnesota.

Mr. Sawyer has demonstrated exceptional achievement in the field of child abuse and neglect. His work in Stearns County and the Minnesota Department of Human Services led to best practices initiatives that are still in place. He has also led the State of Minnesota in several initiatives, including Structured Decision Making, Alternative Response to Child Maltreatment, Family Group Conferencing, Program Outcomes and, most recently, Child Protection's response to Domestic Violence. Mr. Sawyer has been and continues to be involved in presentations at State and National conferences about collaborative responses to child abuse and neglect issues.

Mr. Sawyer maintains a profound commitment to a vision of excellence and the implementation of that vision. His unique role as a visionary mentor and administrator contributes to an environment of positive change for his staff. For more than 30 years, he has made a difference in the communities that he has touched. The families and children, the Olmsted County community, and the State of Minnesota are fortunate to have the vision and leadership of Robert Sawyer.

Updated on July 3, 2008