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15th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect
ACYF Commissioner's Award Book
Mary Ellen Griffith
ChildLaw Services, Inc. |
West VirginiaA tireless advocate on behalf of children, Mary Ellen Griffith works to prevent child abuse ever day. She is an attorney who established her own firm, Childlaw Services, frequently providing pro bono representation to child victims who need legal services and an advocate. Ms. Griffith volunteers her time to provide support for a teen court in Mercer County and serves as a board member of the Mercer County Family Resource Network. Additionally, she is a member of the Governor's Citizens Advisory Council, a group established to advise the Governor and his Cabinet on policy and best practices affecting children and families. Ms. Griffith is a recognized pioneer and an aggressive leader in the development of West Virginia's Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs), which provide a one-stop option to bring together multidisciplinary teams in a coordinated response to help and to protect abused children. She is a founder of the West Virginia Child Advocacy Center Network, created to unite local CACs as well as to provide technical assistance and training support, and travels throughout the State to promote and encourage the development of CACs. The enthusiasm, effort, and persuasive abilities of Mary Ellen Griffith inspire others. She skillfully unites individuals, civic leaders, public agencies, elected officials, private organizations, and community groups in collaborations to prevent child abuse and neglect in West Virginia. |