Title
To recognize and honor Judith Rycus and Ronald Hughes for their commitment to promoting widespread change in international child welfare systems and aiding marginalized children
Body
WHEREAS, Judith Rycus and Ronald Hughes are the founders and directors of the Institute for Human Services/North American Resource Center for Child Welfare (IHS); and
WHEREAS, IHS is a founding partner of the International Leadership and Development Center (ILDC), a nonprofit, non-governmental organization (NGO); and
WHEREAS, Judith Rycus and Ronald Hughes have coordinated activities to plan, implement, coordinate, finance, and evaluate the ILDC and child welfare training projects in Eastern Europe; and
WHEREAS, the vision for ILDC is to build the capacity of local and national child welfare advocates, leaders, trainers, caseworkers, and caregivers to promote safety, permanence in families, and the well-being of abused, neglected, disabled, and homeless children; and
WHEREAS, this includes finding permanent family placements for the thousands of children living in government-run institutions; preventing children from coming into state care; developing supportive services to promote family stability and prevent out of home placements; and emancipating youth with the skills and support to live successfully on their own; and
WHEREAS, IHS and the ILDC are working together to educate their peers, colleagues, and leaders of "best practice" in child welfare; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize and honor Judith Rycus and Ronald Hughes for their commitment to promoting widespread change in international child welfare systems and aiding marginalized children.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be presented to Judith Rycus and Ronald Hughes on the occasion of their visit to Columbus City Hall, July 2, 2009.