OCWTP Award Categories and Recipients
Each year the OCWTP presents three coveted awards: the Dan Schneider Award, the Linda Pope Award, and the Rising Star Award.
The Dan Schneider Award
As the first full-time director of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) in 1987, Dan Schneider (1951–2003) spent a lifetime advocating for children and families in Ohio. His vision of excellence in the training of child welfare professionals helped shape the formation of the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program.
Begun in 2003, the Dan Schneider Award is presented annually at the PCSAO Conference to an individual who reflects Dan’s commitment to improving the lives of Ohio’s children and families by providing unwavering support for the professional development of Ohio’s child welfare staff toward best-practice ideals.
Dan Schneider Award Recipients:
| 2024 | David Thomas, OCWTP Trainer and Coach |
| 2023 | Scott Britton, Assistant Director of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) |
| 2022 | Robin Reese, Lucas County Children Services |
| 2021 | Ruby Johnston, Trainer/International Child Advocate |
| 2020 | No Award (COVID) |
| 2019 | Sally Dine Fitch, MSW, Independent Contractor |
| 2018 | Christina Carter, MS, Institute for Human Services |
| 2017 | David Haverfield, Director of Tuscarawas County JFS |
| 2016 | Lois Tyler, Former Training Coordinator, Institute for Human Services |
| 2015 | Darren Varnado, Former Director, Southwest Ohio Regional Training Center |
| 2014 | Dean Sparks, Director, Lucas County Children Services |
| 2013 | Daniel Shook, ODJFS Bureau Chief OFC |
| 2012 | Betsy Keefer Smalley, Institute for Human Services |
| 2011 | Gayle Channing Tennenbaum, Public Children Services Association of Ohio |
| 2010 | Eric Fenner, Director, Franklin County Children Services |
| 2009 | Crystal Ward Allen, Director, Public Children Services Association of Ohio |
| 2008 | Ronald Hughes, Ph.D., Director, & Judith Rycus, Ph.D., Program Director, Institute for Human Services |
| 2007 | Max Bucey, Assistant Director, Public Children Services Association of Ohio |
| 2006 | John Saros, J.D., Executive Director Emeritus, Franklin County CSB |
| 2005 | Nan Beeler, MSW, LISW, Institute for Human Services |
| 2004 | Dale Curry, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Kent State University |
| 2003 | Kelly Lynch, LISW, CCDC III-E, Executive Director, Guernsey County Children Services |
The Linda Pope Award
The Linda Pope Award was established in 2000 to honor the memory of exemplary OCWTP trainer Linda Pope’s dedication to and impact on child welfare professionals throughout the State of Ohio. Linda was a very conscientious trainer who took her responsibilties seriously. She trained in all eight regions of the state. Linda had a high value for social work ethics and assured that every participant felt valued. At the time of her death in 1999, Linda Pope had the highest average training score on record in the program.
Begun in 2000, the Linda Pope Award is presented annually at the OCWTP Trainer Conference to a trainer who reflects Linda’s courage to incorporate new theoretically sound concepts and best practice into training and who reflects Linda’s dedication to providing high quality, ethical, family-centered training to child welfare professionals. See a complete list of the criteria considered in selecting the Linda Pope Award receipient each year.
Linda Pope Award Recipients:
| 2025 | Susan Darden Kautz |
| 2024 | Johanna Pearce |
| 2023 | Warne Edwards |
| 2022 | Marlin Cheyney, MSW |
| 2020 | Nancy Simon |
| 2019 | Janice Morabeto |
| 2018 | Linda Davis, Ph.D., LPC, LSW |
| 2017 | Val Larkin, LSW |
| 2016 | Co-Recipients: Janie Rhoads, LSW, and Brian Lowery, MPA, LSW |
| 2015 | Xan Boone, MSW |
| 2014 | Brian Bethel, M.Ed., PCC-S, LDCDIII, RPT-S |
| 2013 | Ronna Johnson |
| 2012 | Anthony President |
| 2011 | Ruby Johnston |
| 2010 | Jim Still-Pepper, MA |
| 2009 | David Zidar, LISW |
| 2008 | Ruth McMonagle, MSSA, MBA, ACSW |
| 2007 | Joseph Shannon, Ph.D. |
| 2006 | Jayne Schooler, MA |
| 2005 | Denise Goodman, Ph.D. |
| 2004 | Patricia Harrelson, MSSA |
| 2003 | Raymond Lloyd, BA, LSW |
| 2002 | Rhonda Lilley, Ph.D., and Stacey Saunders |
| 2001 | David Hunter, LISW |
| 2000 | Sandi Priestino, Ph.D. |
The Rising Star Award
Begun in 2000, the Rising Star Award is presented annually at the OCWTP Trainer Conference to a new trainer who exhibits exemplary skills, content expertise, and workshop delivery in the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program.
Rising Star Award Recipients:
| 2025 | Carmen Toro-Wooten |
| 2024 | Michele Rivas |
| 2023 | Lauri Wolfe |
| 2022 | LaToya Logan, MSW LISW |
| 2020 | Jamole Callahan |
| 2019 | Kelly Hickle Lentz |
| 2018 | Jill Roberts |
| 2017 | Melanie Hale, MPA |
| 2016 | Amanda Davis |
| 2015 | Jen Koetter, LSW |
| 2014 | China Darrington |
| 2013 | Dawn Alsept |
| 2012 | Jim Harris |
| 2011 | Ronna Johnson |
| 2010 | Theresa Johnson, MSW; Xan Boone; and Anthony President |
| 2009 | John Ward |
| 2008 | Brian Lowery , MPA, LSW |
| 2007 | Brian Bethel, M.Ed., PCC, CCDC |
| 2006 | Jim Still-Pepper |
| 2005 | Janie Thomas |
| 2004 | Sharon Chun Wetterau |
| 2003 | Sister Madeleine Rybicki |
| 2002 | Charlotte Osterman |
| 2001 | Julie Kenniston and Patricia Harrelson |
| 2000 | Michael Sanders |