Five Women Named Allies In Prevention

Deborah Warren , Director of Child, Family & Prevention Services for the Alexandria Community Services Board is one of the 2010 Allies in Prevention.

Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia, in conjunction with The Allies In Prevention Coalition, presented the awards at the eighth annual Allies In Prevention luncheon on March 25. Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Carmen Nazario, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offered an inspiring address as Keynote Speaker.

“When we see something wrong, it is incumbent upon us as citizens and as human beings to do something to correct it,” she told the audience of nearly 190 guests.  “That’s the definition of a society that cares about improving lives and protecting the vulnerable. The women recognized today exemplify that simple, yet profound concept.  They do not stand back and let others do it; they act.”

Warren has been a passionate advocate for children since joining the Alexandria Community Services Board (11 years ago. She continues to transform its services by establishing powerful collaborations and vigorously pursuing grants. Over the past decade her grant-writing has resulted in close to $8 million in funding, while her unprecedented collaboration with DHS and other partners culminated in new initiatives, including the Child Assessment and Treatment Center for Health (CATCH); the Center for Alexandria’s Children (CAC); and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program at Northern Juvenile Detention Home.

Warren is known for the amount of time and energy she commits to prevention, working with diplomacy, persistence and creativity to change the way we all think about working together to effect real change for children and families. Warren co-chairs the Coalition for Alexandria’s Youngest Child and serves on the Alexandria-Arlington School Readiness Council.

A native Bostonian, she loves poetry, yoga and the Red Sox. She is most proud of her daughter Nicole who is following in her mother’s footsteps by pursuing a career in mental health.  When asked what she would tell community members if they took just one moment to pause for children, Warren  said, “Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment that supports healthy development.”

This year’s honoree from Arlington is Robin Tarver, with the Arlington County Department of Family Services.  

This year’s honoree from Fairfax is Brittny Li, a social worker with Fairfax County.

This year’s honoree from Loudoun is Ann Van Deventer, retired Director of CPS in Loudoun County.

This year’s honoree from Prince William is Kay Taylor, Chief of Services for the Department of Social Services Adult and Child Protection Division.