Awards Received by the Institute for Human Services

President’s Award for Pioneering Impact on the Field of Human Service Training and Development, by the National Staff Development and Training Association, for 30 years of innovation in training and development of the international child welfare workforce. (2016)

Commendation, by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for dedication to preventing child abuse, neglect, and abandonment and to improving Russia’s child welfare system. (2012)

Outstanding Service Award, by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, for 20 years of dedicated leadership through the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive, family-centered services to abused, neglected, and dependent children and their families. (2005)

Quality in Training Award, by the National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), for the development of the Forrester Family Training Videotape. (2004)

Awards Received by Ronald C. Hughes, PhD, MSSA, LISW-S

Ronald C. Laney Distinguished Lifetime Service Award, by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC).  (2018)

Centennial Alumni Award and Induction into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Achievement, by the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University.  (2016) 

Commendation, by the Children’s Rights Commissioner of the President of the Russian Federation, for high professionalism, integrity, proactive attitude, and commitment to the protection of the rights and interests of children and families. (2013)

Appointment, President Emeritus for Life, by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC). (2012) 

Commendation, by the National Foundation for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Moscow, Russian Federation, for the successful organization of the First and Second Russian-American Child Welfare Forums and significant contributions to the development of Russian-American dialogue and collaboration in the child welfare field. (2012)   

Distinguished Alumni Award, by The College of Wooster Alumni Association for a noteworthy achievement that exemplifies Wooster’s dedication to excellence and ideal of service. (2012) 

Obama-Medvedev Bilateral Presidential Commission, appointed as the non-governmental organization representative from the United States to the Civil Society Working Group. (2011) 

Certificate of Recognition, by the Supreme Court of Ohio, for service to the Advisory Committee on Children, Families, and the Courts. (2010)

Lifetime Achievement Award, by the Ohio Psychological Association, honoring psychologists who advance psychology as a science and/or profession by a lifetime (25+ years) of outstanding contributions to the field. (2009)   

Commendation, by Columbus City Council, for work to build the capacity of local and national child welfare advocates, leaders, trainers, and caseworkers to promote safety, permanence in families, and the well-being of abused, neglected, disabled, and homeless children.  (2009)

Dan Schneider Award, by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, for Leadership in Child Welfare Training. (2008)

Outstanding Service Award, by the Ohio Public Children Services Association of Ohio. (2005) 

Peter W. Forsythe Award for Leadership in Public Child Welfare, by the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators (NAPCWA) of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) for recognition of outstanding leadership and support of public child welfare agency efforts to support families and to protect children. (2004)

Induction into National Organization of Forensic Social Work, (2002). 

Leadership in Child Welfare Award, by Public Children Services Association of Ohio, presented with respect and gratitude for his vision as the architect of the competency-based training system and steadfast dedication and leadership as an advocate for Ohio’s children and families. (1996) 

Certificate of Appreciation, by Governor Richard Celeste, for the devoted and invaluable services rendered to the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program. (1989) 

Induction into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, by the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society whose mission is to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engage the community of scholars in service to others. (1989)

Commendation, by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, for exceptional service to the field of child welfare. (2017) 

Special Recognition Award, by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, for leadership, expertise, dedication, and support in the service of maltreated children. (2015)

Special Commendation, by the National Foundation for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Moscow, Russian Federation, for significant contribution to furthering Russian-American Collaboration through the training of Russian child welfare specialists and efforts to organize the first and second Russian-American Child Welfare Forums. (2012)   

Special Commendation for Service to APSAC, by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), recognizing outstanding contributions and services provided to APSAC. (2012)

Leadership in Child Welfare Award, by the International Leadership and Development Center, Kiev, Ukraine, for contributions to the development of the child welfare field in Ukraine. (2011)  

Induction into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, providing public recognition of the contributions made by Ohio women to the growth and progress of the state, the nation, and the world. (2009)

Commendation, by Columbus City Council, for work to build the capacity of local and national child welfare advocates, leaders, trainers, and caseworkers to promote safety, permanence in families, and the well-being of abused, neglected, disabled, and homeless children. (2009)

Outstanding Professional Award, by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), presented to a member of APSAC who has made outstanding contributions to the field of child maltreatment and the advancement of APSAC goals. (2008)

Dan Schneider Award, presented by the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, for Leadership in Child Welfare Training. (2008)   

Quality in Training Award, by the National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), for the four-volume Field Guide to Child Welfare. (1998) 

Commendation, by the Association des Centres Jeunesse du Québec, Montréal, for excellence in child welfare training. (1997) 

Peter W. Forsythe Award for Leadership in Public Child Welfare, by the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators (NAPCWA) of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), in recognition of outstanding leadership and support of public child welfare agencies serving families and protecting children. (1995) 

Public Children Services Association of Ohio Award, by PCSAO, for leadership in competency-based inservice training and contributions on behalf of abused and neglected children, their families, and the child welfare professionals who serve them. (1991)

Child Welfare League of America Award, by CWLA, for contributions made to the field of child welfare. (1991)

Distinguished Alumni Award, by the University of Cincinnati School of Social Work, for her work on child maltreatment, including her innovation with Intrafamilial Child Torture and its international impact. (2023)

Outstanding Service to Social Work, by the National Association of Social Workers Ohio for her work as a Region Director building robust NASW programs in continuing education, fundraising, political action, and special events to celebrate the social work profession. (2019)

Certificate of Award, by Lighthouse Youth & Family Services for providing outstanding education to community partners on child sexual abuse. (2018)

Regional Director of the Year, by National Association of Social Workers Ohio for her outstanding social work leadership and excellence in continuing education programming. (2017)

Dan Schneider Award, presented by the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, for Leadership in Child Welfare Training. (2005). 

Commendation, by the University Partners Program, Ohio, for dedication and contributions to developing and sustaining Ohio’s University Partners program. (2021)

Dan Schneider Award for Leadership in Child Welfare Training, presented by the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, September 2016. 

Adoption Activist Award, by the North American Council for Adoptable Children (NACAC) for outstanding service and achievements in adoption and child welfare. (2011)

Lifetime Achievement Award, by the National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) of the American Public Human Services Association. (2010)   

Dan Schneider Award, presented by the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, for Leadership in Child Welfare Training. (2008)   

Pro Humanitate Literary Award, by the North American Resource Center for Child Welfare, for the book, Telling the Truth to Your Foster and Adopted Child, given to authors who exhibit intellectual integrity and moral courage in promoting best practices in the field of child welfare.  With co-author, Jayne Schooler. (2001)