In April, the American Academy of Pediatrics named Amy Rossi, LCSW, as the recipient of the 2009 Child Health Advocate Award.

The AAP Child Health Advocate Award acknowledges the significant accomplishments of advocates and  public officials who have served as a voice for children in state and local government. Ms Rossi was nominated by the Arkansas Chapter, selected by the Committee on State Government Affairs, and approved by the Academy’s Executive Committee.

Amy Rossi’s lifelong dedication to advocating for children and their families has resulted in many improvements in her home state of Arkansas. A social worker by training, Ms Rossi spent 23 years at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF). She retired from the AACF in 2003, after dedicating 23 years to the organization and serving as its longest Executive Director. Ms Rossi is currently an Associate Director of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, where she continues to advocate on behalf of children.

While serving on the Governor’s Medicaid Task Force in the 1990s, she was instrumental, with the help of then state senator, now Governor Mike Beebe, in getting legislation passed that expanded eligibility for Medicaid to children in families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Called ARKids First, the legislation passed in 1997. In addition, Ms Rossi served on the Governor’s Commission on Juvenile Justice charged with reforming the juvenile justice system and later served as a special master to oversee a court settlement of the statewide child welfare system. 

Ms Rossi was awarded the first Betty A. Lowe, MD Award in 2003 from the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The award is named after former AAP President, Dr Betty Lowe.

Amy Rossi joins 29 other distinguished recipients who have been presented the AAP Child Health Advocate Award since 1991. 

The Academy’s Division of State Government Affairs will be soliciting nominations for the 2010 Child Health Advocate Award in January 2010. 

Congratulations to all of the AAP chapters and their nominees for their continuous hard work in child advocacy.

Should you have any questions regarding the Child Health Advocacy Award please contact Jeff Hudson in the Division of State Government Affairs, at 800/433-9016, ext 7799.