Policy & Practice June 2015

our do’ers profile

In Our Do’ers Profile, we highlight some of the hardworking and talented individuals in public human services. This issue features George Sheldon , acting director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

in memoriam: jerry w. friedman Name: George H. Sheldon Title: Acting Director, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Years of Service: I have served in the public sector since 1974: Š Š Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Acting Director (2015) Š Š Administration for Children and Families—U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Acting Assistant Secretary (2011–2013) Š Š Florida Department of Children and Families  Š Secretary (2008–2011)  Š Assistant Secretary for Operations (2007–2008) Š Š St. Thomas University School of Law, Associate Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs (2003–2007) Š Š Office of the Attorney General—Florida, Deputy Attorney General for Central Florida (1999–2002) Š Š Florida House of Representatives, Member (1974–1982) Rewards of the Job: Getting to know the kids in care and seeing them develop. 25 of Jerry W. Friedman, who died after a brief illness at his home in Austin, Texas. APHSA and the entire public human services community have lost a dedicated and passionate leader and friend. Jerry was APHSA’s executive director from 2001 to 2010. He had served for 31 years prior to that time in a number of human services leadership positions around the country, and was employed by Accenture as Director of Strategic Initiatives at the time of his death. Jerry was surely one of the best-known figures of our time in the public human services sector. Beyond his impressive professional record, Jerry was active with a number of non- profit associations and personal pursuits that reflected his commitment to bettering the lives of both administrators and those they serve. Jerry was also someone who never met a stranger and always had a kind and personal word for everyone he knew. The American Public Human Services Association learned with great sorrow of the passing on March

Accomplishments Most Proud Of: Creating a normalcy initiative for foster youth in Florida and short- ening their length of stay in foster care. Future Challenges for the Delivery of Public Services: The more I learn about child abuse across the nation, the more I recognize the common factors of mental health, substance abuse, and economic stress. Those factors don’t mean that the parents don’t love their children, but their ability to care for those children is impaired. We have to try to restore that family and reunite them if we can and provide a strong and nurturing alternative when we cannot. Our challenge should be to deal with those core issues so we can work toward avoiding child abuse or neglect in the first place. It should be the goal of every child welfare worker to work to abolish the need for our jobs to even exist. Little Known Facts About Me: I am the youngest of six children, but the first in my family to go to college. Outside Interests: I enjoy skiing and boating.

Jerry’s career before APHSA included director or deputy director positions in Texas, Washington State, Pennsylvania, and two Pennsylvania counties. While at APHSA, he led the Association through many dramatic changes in the field, including the deep recession late in his tenure that has had lasting impacts on public funding and public perceptions of the role of government. In recognition of both his leadership at APHSA and

his extensive prior career, the Association presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. After Jerry moved to Accenture, he continued his active involvement with and strong commitment to APHSA in many ways, and was a familiar face at APHSA conferences and other events. He also helped established the annual Harvard Human Services Summit, in which APHSA plays a significant role. Jerry leaves a void in our work and in our hearts, but his legacy in building a better and more effective human service system is secure.

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