MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:   February 14, 2001

CONTACT: Laura Kursman

Montgomery County Communications Manager

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Montgomery County Family and Children First Council Recognizes Marcie Fullbright with Award

Today, the Montgomery County Family and Children First Council will present the Brother Raymond L. Fitz, S.M., Ph. D. Award to Marcie Fullbright.  The 2001 Award is being given posthumously to Marcie who worked in the field of social work (community mental health and public child welfare) for approximately twenty years.  At the time of her death on September 8, 2000, she was the Clinical Services Supervisor at Montgomery County Children Services.

Laurence P. Harkness, President and CEO of The Children’s Medical Center and Chair of the Montgomery County Family and Children First Council said, “In the opinion of the judges, Marcie’s approach to her work best exemplified the core values that the Award is designed to recognize:

·       a deep commitment to achieving positive results for children and families;

·       a firm belief in the value of teamwork; and

·       an unflagging willingness to persevere in efforts to improve conditions for children and families.” 

“Marcie was exceptionally versatile in her work.  Her passion for child welfare and her strong clinical background were matched with an enormous level of energy, compassion, and decisiveness,” commented the Childrens Services Executive Director, Helen Jones-Kelley.  “Her solid training, experience and expertise enabled her to manage multiple tasks.  This combination afforded her the admiration of her peers, and she was sought out for her input on many case situations.  She was aware of the position this placed her in and used it to promote the best interests of the children and families served by Montgomery County Children Services,” continued Jones-Kelley.

Marcie could never accept that a youngster was beyond reach.  Because of this belief, she made the system and individuals stretch until it hurt.  Her colleagues had the utmost respect for her and never questioned her honesty and integrity.

Marcie served on the Inter-Agency Clinical Assessment Team (ICAT); helped develop and implement the Sojourner Program; was a member of the Sexual Offender Reporting Network (juvenile subcommittee); and she worked on numerous other committees in the community to promote and advocate for appropriate treatment and services for children.

She and her husband were licensed foster parents through a private agency and provided care for special needs youngsters.  Upon her death at age 44, she left behind her husband, Mark, and two sons: Matthew and Garrick.  Her family will receive a specially commissioned sculpture.

The Council created this Award as a tribute to Brother Fitz, current president of the University of Dayton, for being its first Chair from 1996 to 1999, for his years of leadership and service to the community.  He also served as Chair of the New Futures/Youth and Family Collaborative for the Greater Dayton Area from 1994-1995, and he co-chaired the Montgomery County Child Protection Task Force from November 1993 to February 1995. 

The Council will solicit nominations for the 2002 Award in the fall.

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