Faith Battles Awarded First Ever AFS Children's Guardian Award for Lifetime of Service

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Feb. 5, 2019 - PRLog -- Alternative Family Services (AFS) is proud to announce that Faith M. Battles, MSW, former AFS case worker and currently the Division Director for Eligibility, Transition & Placement Services at the Alameda County Department of Children & Family Services, is the recipient of the first ever AFS' Children's Guardian Award. This inaugural award, which will be presented annually, presented by the Board of Directors of AFS, is intended to honor those who have supported children and families in their life and work.

"Faith Battles is a true inspiration, and is the perfect first candidate for this award," said Jay A. Berlin, Ph. D, CEO and Founder of Alternative Family Services. "In her decades of work, both in her previous position at AFS and in her current role with Alameda County, Faith has always displayed the determination, grit, persistence, love, kindness and drive to improve the lives of everyone she meets. She is an inspiration to those around her. I honestly can't think of a better person to kick off this tradition. Congratulations to Faith for this achievement!"

"I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this award and recognition," said Faith M. Battles. "I am thankful for being considered and chosen for the new Children's Guardian Award in response to my purpose, dedication and work in the field of public child welfare. It is wonderful to be recognized for the passion and dedication I bring to this work and it certainly pours more into my cup as I soldier on beside all the other children's guardians in this field."

The Children's Guardian Award will be presented from the AFS Board of Directors to Faith Battles at the AFS 40th Anniversary Gala, which is taking place on Februrary 28 from 5pm to 9pm at Salesforce East-Ohana Room in San Francisco, CA. For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, go to http://www.helpfosteryouth.org/40th-Gala.html.

About AFS
Founded in 1978, Alternative Family Services (AFS) provides thoughtful, informed care, adoption and mental health services to 1,500 foster children and youth throughout Northern California. The mission of Alternative Family Services is to support vulnerable children and families in need of stability, safety and wellbeing in their communities. Services provided by AFS include therapeutic foster care, Intensive Services Foster Care, support for foster children with developmental disabilities, therapeutic visitation, community-based mental health services, transitional housing support, independent life skills training, and much more.