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Professor Jerry Foxhoven, director of the Neal and Bea Smith Legal Clinic at Drake Law School, was honored by Youth and Shelter Services, Inc. (YSS) during their annual holiday recognition luncheon on Dec. 12. Foxhoven received the Outstanding Contribution to the Well-Being of Children and Youth Award.
The award was presented in recognition of his advocacy and lifelong commitment to the welfare of Iowa’s children, youth, 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.
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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.
Most recently, Foxhoven was appointed chair of the governor’s task force overseeing recommendations regarding the Iowa Juvenile Home.
Youth and Shelter Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization in Ames. YSS exists to provide prevention, education, treatment, and residential services to children, youth, and families; to advocate on their behalf, and to help them solve problems, grow, and be self-sufficient, responsible, contributing members of society. http://www.yss.ames.ia.us/