Child Protection Awards

Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas proudly announce that Dr. Sufna John, esteemed licensed psychologist and Associate Professor at UAMS will be honored with the prestigious 2024 Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award. Dr. John, known for her groundbreaking work in early childhood mental health and intergenerational trauma, has been a beacon of excellence in the field. Her commitment to enhancing the well-being of children and families has been unwavering, earning her recognition as a leader in the realm of child advocacy and protection. As an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dr. John specializes in training professionals in assessments, treatments, and practices crucial for supporting family resilience. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom as she co-directs the Arkansas Building Effective Services for Trauma (ARBEST) program. ARBEST's primary focus lies in improving outcomes for children who have endured trauma across the state. One of its core missions is to bolster best mental health practices in all of Arkansas, a testament to Dr. John's commitment to fostering excellence in child protection services.

Dr. John's passion for partnering with various child-serving systems underscores her belief in the power of collaboration to promote trauma-informed practices for both caregivers and children. Her tireless efforts have not only transformed countless lives but have also set a new standard for excellence in child protection advocacy. The Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award recognizes Dr. Sufna John's outstanding contributions to the field of child protection and her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of children and families. Her exemplary work serves as an inspiration to all those involved in the critical mission of safeguarding children from harm.

Mischa Martin, a dedicated advocate for children and families, was honored with the prestigious Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award at the Child Protection Luncheon today. This award recognizes her outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to child protection and welfare in Arkansas.

Mischa Martin joined the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) in 2008, where she has been a pivotal force in representing the department in dependency neglect cases, adult maltreatment cases, and central registry administrative hearings. Her extensive legal expertise and dedication to child welfare have made a significant impact on the lives of countless children and families across the state. In 2015, Martin was appointed Deputy Counsel, managing the attorneys who represent the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division, and Adult Protective Services. Her leadership has been instrumental in guiding these divisions through complex legal landscapes to protect the most vulnerable members of society.

"Every child in our state has been a concern and a source of love for me," said Martin. "My passion for this work remains as strong today as it was 15 years ago." The DCFS, under Martin's influence, is dedicated to ensuring that children and youth have safe and stable homes every day. The division is responsible for child abuse prevention, investigations, foster care, and adoption programs. Annually, DCFS investigates over 25,000 allegations of child abuse or neglect, oversees more than 7,000 children in foster care, and serves over 13,000 children in in-home protective services cases. The division also offers statewide intensive in-home prevention, substance abuse, and mental health services to children and families. "I have always known that I wanted to serve and make a difference," Martin shared. "As the granddaughter of missionaries and the daughter of an elementary school teacher, I was inspired by my role models who served and made a difference in their communities. While I didn't initially envision a career in child welfare, I knew I wanted to help children." Despite these challenges, Martin celebrates the opportunities within a female-dominated workplace. Mischa Martin's recognition with the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award is a testament to her dedication and tireless work in child protection and welfare. Her passion and leadership continue to inspire and make a profound difference in the lives of children and families throughout Arkansas.

Representative Charlene Fite – Rep. Fite has been a tireless legislative advocate for abused children in Arkansas and continues to set a standard of purpose, grace, and dignity. She was the lead sponsor on recent legislation that transformed the sustainability of the State Chapter and CACs across the state. During the last legislative session, she spent hours testifying in both house and senate committees and led multiple individual conversations with opposition successfully passing the bill in the end. She has stood beside the First Lady of Arkansas in her support for CACs and the State Chapter.

Systematic approach to ensuring access to services, eliminating unnecessary pass-throughs, and ensuring accountability starts with organized legislative approaches. Through her representation she not only helped to define the lack of oversight under the past legislative designation, but she articulated and represented the voice of the CAC network with knowledge, grace and strength. She continuously communicated and listened to opposition and would collaboratively gather factual guidance to help clarify misinformed information that was being communicated to her peers by the opposition. Without her efforts the most recent transformation legislation would not have been accomplished. She remains a warrior for those that don't have a voice and consistently is a continuous resource even in between legislative sessions helping navigate any trouble with state bureaucratic processes and bridging key relationships with vital partners such as the prosecutors. She remains an example that will forever make an impact on populations of people that she may never even meet.

Since first entering the legislative body in 2013 she has been recognized by many organizations that have mutual missions of representing those most vulnerable populations in the state that often do not have much of a voice in legislation. Representative Fite represents the true essence of this award and deserves to be acknowledged for her tireless and strong efforts for abused children in the state of Arkansas.

Mary Beth Luibel spent her life devoted to helping families and children in Arkansas. She was instrumental in establishing the CAC of Eastern Arkansas and developing the CASA program in the area. Mary Beth was the Executive Director of the Arkansas Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. Sadly, she lost her brave battle with cancer in February of 2020. We honor her for the deep impact she made on our organization and on the lives of Arkansans.

Max Snowden served as Executive Director of the Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence since 1997, retiring in 2018. The Commission provides training, technical assistance, policy development and analysis, along with resource development in the areas of child abuse, rape/sexual assault, and domestic violence. Prior to joining the Commission, he served as the State Coordinator for the University of Oklahoma’s Southwest Regional Center for Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities. A licensed social worker, certified trainer, and a Crisis Response Team member serving at the September 11/World Trade Center site, Max has worked with various agencies, community groups and others in the U.S. and internationally to address the problems of alcohol and other drugs, violence, and related high-risk behaviors. He received his undergraduate degree in Sociology from Missouri State University and a Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Dr. Kramer’s work in the area of program development and community capacity building is truly outstanding, and is having a positive impact on the health outcomes of thousands of Arkansas’ most vulnerable children and families. Over the past nine years she has led the development of a statewide trauma-focused program that has changed how our service systems care for children that have experienced abuse or neglect. Under her leadership, the Arkansas Building Effective Services for Trauma (ARBEST) program has radically influenced the delivery of mental health services for children who have experienced trauma, with evidence-based trauma treatments now available in EVERY county in Arkansas.

Karen Worley, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and professor in the Department of Pediatrics for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She has worked with children and families dealing with child sexual abuse for over 35 years. She received her doctoral training at Texas Tech University. She is the Director of the Family Treatment Program (FTP) in the UAMS Department of Pediatrics located in the Clark Center for the Safe and Healthy Families on the Arkansas Children's Hospital Campus. FTP provides treatment for families in which there has been sexual abuse. Dr. Worley is also Director of the Adolescent Sexual Adjustment Project, which provides outpatient assessment and treatment for adolescents who have sexually offended. Dr. Worley has been active on a number of state boards addressing child abuse issues, provides statewide training and consultation, and has sever publications on child maltreatment.

Beverly, along with her husband, David, co-founded Restoration Ministries, Inc. dba Restoration Village in 1989 – a long-term housing for women and children in a crisis time of their life as a result of abuse. In 2000 she founded and became the Executive Director of The Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County. For 20 years Beverly facilitated sexual abuse seminars and support groups, and in 1994 wrote and printed, “Restoring the Wounded Soul Workbook” for use in support groups.

Beverly divided her time between the Village and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County until her retirement from the CAC in July, 2015. She has also served as the Benton County Multidisciplinary Coordinator from 2001 until 2008 and as President of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas. She was the Benton County Woman of the Year in 2000 and received the Advocate of the Year Award from the National Children’s Alliance in 2014.

Daniel Shue received his undergraduate degree and JD from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He began his career as an intern in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office in the summer of 1981. In September of 1983, Dan became a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and continued his work there until December of 1996. After many years of being a prosecutor, Shue moved in to private practice at Fields, Tabor, Langston and Shue, PLLC, until 2002. He returned to the 12^th District in 2003 as the Chief Deputy Prosecutor and in 2008 was elected Prosecuting Attorney.

Dan and his wife Rita reside in Fort Smith, Arkansas and have 3 children. He has served on many boards including but not limited to: CASA of Sebastian County, Hamilton House Child Safety Center, and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association.

Carolyn Pollan received her undergraduate degree from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and her Ph.D. in education from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Pollan served as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1975-1999. Her 12 consecutive terms deemed her the longest serving Republican and the longest serving woman in Arkansas history.

Pollan is the co-author of Arkansas Act 824. This act empowered agencies such as DHS, State Police, and CAC’s to work together against child abuse in our state.

Carolyn and her husband George have two children and four grandchildren.

Dr. Farst received her undergraduate and medical school education at Texas Tech University and then moved to Arkansas for residency training in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of AR for Medical Sciences, and served as chief pediatric resident for one year after completing residency. While in private practice in NW AR following residency training, she became a volunteer medical provider at the Benton County Children’s Advocacy Center which eventually led her to pursue fellowship training in child abuse pediatrics as a specialty at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

She returned to the Dept of Pediatrics of UAMS to work with the Center for Children at Risk in 2004. Her present duties include general pediatric care in the ACH emergency department, inpatient and outpatient medical evaluations for cases of suspected child abuse or neglect, medical education on child abuse topics, medical peer review to examiners at the children’s advocacy centers in Arkansas, and research within the UAMS Dept of Pediatrics on child abuse and neglect topics. Dr. Farst became the first physician in Arkansas to be certified in Child Abuse Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics and was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the National Children’s Alliance in 2011.

Lisa began her career as a foster care-protective services caseworker in 1983 in Pulaski County with Arkansas Social Services, which would later become the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). Working full time, Lisa also attended law school at night. She clerked for Judge Ellen Brantley for one year. In December of 1990, Lisa graduated with high honors from UALR Law School.  Lisa returned to DHS in 1991 as a staff attorney.  Since that time, she has served in various leadership capacities including Interim Director of the Division of Children and Family Services and Interim Chief Counsel for the department. In 1996, Lisa was appointed Deputy Counsel for County Legal Operations overseeing a staff that includes 49 attorneys and 28 legal secretaries. She also serves as a departmental liaison for child welfare legislation. Much of what is written in today’s child maltreatment act and juvenile code has been authored by Lisa. She received Best of CLE recognition by the Arkansas Bar Association in 2000, and was the Office of Chief Counsel Employee of the Year in 1998. Lisa lives in Maumelle and has three adult children, two who are adopted and were foster children.

Dr. Jerry G. Jones was the 2011 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award. A professor of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Jones has served as director for the University’s unique Center for Children at Risk program for more than 20 years. Jones was selected by the Arkansas children’s centers for his dedication to the medical evaluation and treatment of physically and sexually abused children, and for his innovation and management of additional service programs for them and their families.