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Jerry Foxhoven, executive director of the Neal and Bea Smith Legal Clinic and professor of law at Drake University Law School, has been chosen as the recipient of this year’s Margaret Hess Leadership In Family Empowerment (LIFE) Award given by Youth & Shelter Services, Inc.
The award recognizes individuals who provide outstanding service to Iowa families, demonstrate a history of family advocacy, display leadership, courage, and compassion for children and families, show respect for the diversity that typifies today’s family, and donates volunteer time and/or money to improve services to children and families.
Foxhoven has committed much of his legal career to helping children and families. He specialized in litigation, juvenile law and appeals for 23 years in private practice, followed by serving as administrator for the Iowa Child Advocacy Board. He served as the director of the Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights before becoming director of the Neal and Bea Smith Legal Clinic.
Beyond his career, Foxhoven has been involved with and recognized by some of the leading children’s rights organizations in the country. He served on the board of directors of the National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); was a senior fellow with the Center for Adoption Research at the University of Massachusetts; and was a member of the Oversight Committee of the Iowa Supreme Court Select Committee to Review State Court Practices in Child Welfare Matters. In 2004, he was honored to receive the “Angel in Adoption” Award, presented by Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.
The award was presented at Youth & Shelter Services, Inc.’s annual Risky Business Conference in Ames on Tuesday, April 30. More information on the conference can be found at www.yss.ames.ia.us.