OSDH Honors Individuals Working to Support Families and Prevent Child Abuse

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) honored individuals and programs across the state for their outstanding commitment, dedication and leadership in child abuse prevention at an annual awards ceremony held on April 30 at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

“Preventing child abuse is critical to building healthy communities,” said Lorri Essary, director of the Family Support and Prevention Service at the OSDH. “The work of those we honored is changing the lives of Oklahoma kids.”

The 2025 Oklahoma Outstanding Child Abuse Prevention Award winners are:

• Monica Brumnett - Marian Jacewitz Award (Oklahoma Human Services; School-Based Family Services)
• Mackenzie Belyeu - Mary Ellen Wilson Award (The Parent Child Center of Tulsa; Tulsa Safe Babies Collaboration)
• Carla Garcia - Outstanding Community Builder Award (Center for Children and Families, Inc.)
• The Parent Child Center of Tulsa, SafeCare Program - Outstanding Family Support Program Award
• Jamie Mata - Outstanding Home Visitor Award (Parent Promise, OKC)
• Ebony Skillens – Mildred Ramsey Community Innovation Award (Amayesing Skillz Counseling Services and Skillz on Wheelz)
• Erica Herrera – Oklahoma Parent Leadership Award (Oklahoma City, OK)
• Marques S. Thomas - Oklahoma Parent Leadership Award (Wynnewood, OK)
• Yolanda Galloway - Oklahoma Parent Leadership Award (Tulsa, OK)

Click here for more information on the purpose of each award.

Photos from the event can be found here.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) protects and improves public health through its system of local health services and strategies focused on preventing disease. OSDH provides technical support and guidance to 68 county health departments in Oklahoma, as well as guidance and consultation to the two independent city-county health departments in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Learn more at Oklahoma.gov/health. 

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