Bill Text: MS SC542 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize Dr. William C. Bell as President and CEO of Casey Family Foster Care Programs.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-09 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC542 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC542-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th), Barnett, Jackson (32nd), Watson
Senate Concurrent Resolution 542
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL HONORS OF DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE DR. WILLIAM C. BELL, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CASEY FAMILY FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS.
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we honor the public service career and leadership accomplishments of Delta State graduate Dr. William C. Bell. William C. Bell became President and Chief Executive Officer of Casey Family Programs in January 2006. He chairs the Executive Team and is ultimately responsible for the vision, mission, strategies and objectives of the foundation. Dr. Bell, who was named the 2014 James A. Joseph Lecturer by the Association of Black Foundation Executives, recognizes the importance of partnerships between philanthropy and the public sector; and
WHEREAS, Casey Family Programs is the nation's largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families across America. Its mission is to provide and improve and ultimately prevent the need for foster care. It is committed to 2020: Building Communities of Hope, a nationwide effort to improve the safety and success of children and their families. They work in support of a range of public, private, tribal and community partners to: safely reduce the need for foster care 50% by the year 2020; demonstrate how every child can have a safe and permanent family; support more effective investments in children and families; and encourage a shared vision for success. Casey Family Programs works in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to influence long-lasting improvements to the safety and success of children, families and the communities where they live. At the end of 2014, Casey Family Programs assets totaled $2.2 Billion; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bell earned his Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, his Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College School of Social Work, and his Bachelor's degree in Biology and Behavioral Science from Delta State University. Dr. Bell has more than 35 years of experience in the human services field. Prior to becoming President and CEO of Casey Family Programs, he served as the foundation's Executive Vice President for Child and Family Services, providing strategic direction to nine field offices and leading a staff working directly with young people from the public child welfare system. Prior to joining Casey, he served as Commissioner of the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS). There he managed child welfare services, including child protection, foster care, child abuse prevention, day care and Head Start with a staff of more than 7,000 and a budget of about $2.4 Billion. From 1996 to 2001, Dr. Bell was Deputy Commissioner of ACS' Division of Child Protection. From 1994 to 1996, he was Deputy Commissioner of Field Services and Contract Agency Case Management for the New York City Human Resources Administration. In the early 1990s, Dr. Bell was Associate Executive Director for Miracle Makers, a private-sector, minority-owned, not-for-profit child and family services organization in New York City; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bell is a member of the Board of Philanthropy Northwest, Delta State University Foundation, the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, and United Way of King County. He serves on the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association Board of Trustees, and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Racial Equity and Leadership Institute. Dr. Bell previously served as a member of the American Bar Association's Commission on Youth at Risk, the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care, and the Executive Committee of the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators. He also has served as a Trustee for America's Promise Alliance and on the Board of Directors of Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, the Council on Social Work Education and the Marguerite Casey Foundation; as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative; and as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Association of Black Foundation Executives; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, Dr. Bell received the Special Contribution to the Judiciary Award from the King County Washington Women Lawyers for his service to children and families, including those in the child welfare system; and making our judicial system more accessible to all, regardless of economic status. In 2015, Dr. Bell received the Orgullo de la Comunidad (Pride of our Community) Award from the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services. The Association of Black Foundation Executives selected Dr. Bell as its 2014 James A. Joseph Lecturer for his visionary leadership and stewardship of progressive philanthropic ideals that advance the organization's mission. Dr. Bell was named the 2012 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by Delta State University and was inducted into its Alumni Hall of Fame and into Omicron Delta Kappa, a National Leadership Honor Society. The Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps awarded Dr. Bell its 2012 Embracing the Legacy Award for his tireless work to prevent child abuse and neglect and build communities of hope for America's vulnerable children. He was honored in 2010 by New York City's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for his contributions and lifelong commitment to improving the lives of children in foster care; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bell's many other awards and honors include: the Vincent de Francis Award from the American Humane Association (2009), recognizing him for his vision and commitment to improve child welfare systems on a national level; the Lifetime of Service Award from City Year Seattle/King County (2009); the 2007 International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award from the National Association of Social Workers Foundation, recognizing his contribution to advancing public awareness and recognition of the value of professional social work; the 2005 Valeria Bullard Black Administrator of the Year Award from the Black Administrators in Child Welfare; and the 2004 Betsey R. Rosenbaum Award for Excellence in Public Child Welfare Administration from the National Association for Public Child Welfare Administrators. In 2003, he was inducted into the Hunter College Alumni Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute to a most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi with enormous civic energy, who has brought honor to his university and state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Legislature to the Public Service and Professional Honors of Delta State University Graduate Dr. William C. Bell, President and CEO of the Casey Family Foster Care Programs, and extend our best wishes to Dr. Bell and his family for future success in addressing the vision of safely reducing the need for foster care and building communities for children and families.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. William C. Bell, forwarded to the Department of Human Services and the Board of Trustees of the Case Family Programs, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
