15th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect
ACYF Commissioner's Award Book
Steve Vajda
Wyoming Department of Family Services |
WyomingSteve Vajda, a consummate advocate on behalf of Wyoming's maltreated children, currently serves as the Program Manager for the Wyoming Children's Trust Fund Board and the Deputy Compact Administrator for the Interstate Placement of Children. His years of public service to the State of Wyoming number 36. His long relationship with the Children's Trust Fund Board began in April 1994. With Mr. Vajda's initiative and leadership, the Trust Fund Board receives Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) funds, which have facilitated upgrading community child abuse and neglect prevention programs throughout Wyoming. As a child advocate, Mr. Vajda diligently has assisted communities in developing their abuse and neglect programs. His intent is to build grassroots support for prevention activities and to educate the public regarding the need to give child protection top priority. Communities across Wyoming rely on his grant writing expertise to assist them in procuring new funding sources to enhance their prevention programs. During his decade as manager of the Trust Fund, his conscientious efforts have positioned the Trust Fund into a major resource for community child abuse and neglect prevention programs. In addition to serving as a director of the Prevent Child Abuse Wyoming Board from 1997 through 2003, Mr. Vajda has participated actively in many of the Board functions relating to the prevention of child abuse. Currently, he is serving his second term as an at-large Board member of the National Alliance of Children's Trust Funds, assuming a most active role in this prestigious organization. Other volunteer activities include membership in the Cheyenne Wyoming Kiwanis Club, which is known for raising funds for children's programs including those that prevent abuse and neglect of children, and ongoing participation in various fundraising activities for the nationwide network of Shriners Crippled Children's Hospitals. |
