September 21, 2017
Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced appointments to the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, restructured by Executive Order 2017-4.
The task force promotes the health, safety and welfare of Michigan's children and families by funding local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.
“I thank these task force members for their commitment to creating positive change in Michigan’s child welfare system and am confident their contributions will help enhance the state’s response to child abuse and neglect,” Snyder said.
The following appointments were made with terms expiring December 31, 2017:
Christopher Wirth of Hudsonville is a founding member of Core Legal PLC., and has represented more than 500 children who were victims of child abuse and neglect. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Hope College, a juris doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and a masters of business administration from Grand Valley State University. He will represent judges and attorneys.
Danita Echols of Ann Arbor is the home resource center coordinator for the Community Housing Network and a social worker for South Oakland Citizens for the Homeless. She is the vice president of Families On the Move, and served as a campus coach/research assistant for the Transition to Independence Program at the Wayne State University School of Social Work. Echols holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s in social work in community development from Wayne State University. She will represent individuals experienced in working with homeless children and youth.
Jennifer Pintar of Tawas City is a detective sergeant with the Michigan State Police Alpena Post. Pintar holds a bachelor’s degree in community development from Central Michigan University. She will represent the law enforcement community.
Julie Nakfoor Pratt of Hastings is the Barry County prosecutor. She serves on the advisory board of the Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center of Barry County and the Family Support Center of Barry County. Nakfoor Pratt holds a bachelor’s degree in foreign languages from Michigan State University and a degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She will represent judges and attorneys.
Kelly Ann Ramsey of Detroit was elected as a Wayne County Third Circuit Court judge in 2016 and previously served as a special assistant attorney general in the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. She is the co-founder of For the Seventh Generation, a charitable program providing life enrichment to disadvantaged children. Ramsey holds an associate degree in mental health from Oakland Community College, a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and a law degree from Wayne State University. She will represent judges and attorneys.
Shannon Lowder of Jackson is CEO of A Healing Place LLC, a private mental health practice, and chairs the Mental Health Standards Committee. Lowder holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in clinical and humanistic psychology from the Center for Humanistic Studies, and a doctoral degree in clinical and humanistic psychology from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology. She will represent mental health professionals.
The following appointments were made with terms expiring December 31, 2018:
Nick Lyon of Marshall is the Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and will represent the department.
Cheryl Lohmeyer of Monroe is a Monroe County probate judge and previously served as a member of the Monroe County Child Protective Attorney Consortium. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a juris doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law. She will represent judges and attorneys.
Tana Bridge of Canton is a professor of social work, as well as director of the master’s program at Eastern Michigan University. She is also a professional trainer and consultant. Bridge holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern Michigan University, a master’s in social work from the University of Michigan, and a doctorate in theoretical evaluation and research from Wayne State University. She will represent mental health professionals.
John Hohman of Ann Arbor is the owner of Hohman ADR, an alternative dispute resolution service. He previously served as the state court administrator and as a probate and family division judge. Hohman holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He will represent judges and attorneys, and will serve as chair.
Fred Gruber of Southgate is the co-founder and executive director of Michigan Children’s Law Center, a group of 25 attorneys who represent children in neglect and delinquency cases in the Wayne County Juvenile Court, custody cases in the Wayne County Family Court, and in delinquency and custody cases in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Gruber earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Wayne State University and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He will represent child advocates.
Dorene Allen of Midland is a presiding probate and juvenile judge for Midland County and oversees the Midland County Juvenile Care Center. She participated in a number of local and statewide committees and previously served as chair of the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice. Allen received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Michigan State University. She will represent judges and attorneys.
The following appointments were made with terms expiring December 31, 2019:
Lori Budnik of Rogers City, is the child protective services supervisor for Alcona/Alpena/Montmorency County Department of Human Services. She has more than 20 years of experience with child welfare, starting as a youth specialist in a juvenile detention facility in Ottawa County and continuing as a foster care worker and child protective services worker. She recently helped to establish a children’s advocacy center in Alpena. Budnik holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree of social work, both from Grand Valley State University. She will continue to represent child protective services agencies.
Susan Heilner of Oxford is the child welfare director for the Oakland County Department of Human Services. She previously worked in Ingham, Washtenaw, Livingston, Genesee, and Macomb counties and has almost 40 years of experience in this field. Hull holds a bachelor’s degree in history and social studies from Oakland University. She will continue to represent child protective services agencies.
Luann (Lani) Forbes of Hastings is the executive director for Barry County United Way, a medical lieutenant for the Freeport Fire Department, and is involved in many local and regional boards. She will continue to represent parents.
Catherine Onsted of Jackson retired as a parent-aide with Parkside Family Counseling Services, where she was assigned to families that had lost children to foster care and supervised visits. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Cleary College. Onsted will represent parents’ groups.
Veda Thompkins of Detroit is the president of Families On The Move, Inc., a volunteer non-profit organization which advocates for at-risk youth, birth families, and foster and adoptive families. Thompkins earned an associate’s degree from Wayne County Community College. She will represent child advocates.
Bethany Mohr of Pinckney is a clinical associate professor and medical director of the Child Protection Team at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a medical degree from New York Medical College. She will represent medical professionals.
Hohman will serve as chair for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor.
After the initial terms, members will serve three-year terms. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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