Awards

Representative Jessica Hanson, for District 55A, is the 2025 Esther Wattenberg Policy Awardee, and a believer in “Politics of Care.” 

“The #PoliticsOfCare means bringing your feelings, cares, and passions into politics - not keeping them out. Politics is how we express moral values, reinforce social norms, and build a world and society we’ll be proud to leave to the next seven generations. We must believe that everyone deserves to be treated as equals and commit ourselves to building better systems than those that have held back so many people because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or age.”

- Representative Jessica Hanson

Past Awardees

The Child Welfare Leadership Award recognizes Minnesota Leaders for their outstanding statewide contributions to child welfare practice.

Kate Rickord, MA, LP, SEP, is a founding leader and current Director of the Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) efforts that began in Minnesota in 2017. She serves on the state and national teams of the QPI where she partners with youth, families, and professionals to reimagine child welfare as a relationship‑based system. Her child welfare experience began in 2004 and includes both direct work and leadership in an intensive parenting program for mothers, therapeutic services for children and their families, and supporting foster families licensed through a community-based agency. Kate is a Master’s level Licensed Psychologist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with advanced training in research-based parenting modalities and evidenced-based trauma practices. She is co-owner of Resiliency and Health Institute, a small collaborative practice where she integrates attachment science, somatic regulation, and trauma‑responsive practices into her therapeutic work with individuals across the lifespan. 

Past Awardees

The Child Welfare Exemplary Service Award was developed in early 2015 by the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) in order to recognize Minnesota county and tribal child welfare supervisors and frontline workers for exemplary service to children and families.

Outstanding nominees will demonstrate a commitment to engaging families, engagement in strengths-based work with families, a focus on reducing disparities in the child welfare system, and utilization of research-supported practice.

Alyssa Passehl is the Supervisor for the Children and Family Services Unit in Winona County. She has been working within the child welfare realm since graduating college in 2010. Alyssa prioritizes child safety while also recognizing the importance of family well-being. She supports workers in making careful, well-thought-out safety decisions while encouraging respectful and culturally responsive engagement with families. She consistently emphasizes the importance of listening to families, honoring their perspectives, and partnering with them as part of the safety planning process. Through supervision and guidance, Alyssa helps workers balance accountability with compassion. By centering cultural humility, family voice, and strengths-based practice, she supports outcomes that promote both child safety and long-term family stability. 

Past Awardees

The Child Welfare Change Maker Award was developed in 2018 in order to recognize the significant work and dedication of child welfare stakeholders whose impact positively affects change in child welfare practice, policy and research across Minnesota. The 2018 inaugural year Child Welfare Change Maker Award was awarded to the Minnesota Office of the Ombudsperson for Families to recognize and honor their critical work with children and families.

Jessica is a licensed independent social worker, Reflective Coach, Author, Mother, and Founder of Ray of Hope, LLC.  Jessica has almost 20 years of human service experience; in the roles of reflective coaching consultant/supervisor, child and family services supervisor, child protection social worker, juvenile justice social worker, and mental health practitioner. Currently Jess owns and operates Ray of Hope, LLC., where she works nationally with Human Service professionals and leaders, enhancing their self-awareness through reflection, providing reflective coaching, consultation and supervision. Jessica has a passion for reflection and making it accessible to practitioners.

Past Awardees

The Outstanding Service Partner in Child Welfare Award was developed in 2020 in order to recognize the contributions of the many frontline professionals working in a variety of fields who support and serve child welfare-involved children and families. Outstanding nominees will demonstrate a commitment to engaging families, engagement in strengths-based work with families, a focus on reducing disparities in the child welfare system, and utilization of research-supported practice.

Tiffany has been the Youth Resource Manager at the Children’s Law Center since June 2022. With a firm commitment to amplifying the voices of young clients, she strives to provide them with the critical resources necessary for support and empowerment. Tiffany earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Saint Cloud State University and has dedicated 28 years to working with youth in out-of-home placements. Her focus has always been on fostering hope, building confidence, and nurturing their inherent strengths.

Past Awardees