Pamela Cornwell, former clinical services director of trauma practices for Saint Francis Ministries, will be honored at the 47th Annual Governor’s Conference for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (October 18-20) for her work on developing clinical strategies related to chronic stress and trauma. Cornwell retired in August after a 30-year career in child welfare, 11 of which were spent at Saint Francis.

While at SFM, Cornwell chaired the Trauma Informed Care Committee, addressing staff secondary trauma, providing trauma training, and assessing trauma in children. She consulted with community partners in child welfare, working closely with social workers, parents, and caregivers to address trauma-related behaviors.

Over the last three decades, Cornwell has worked with multi-generational families, elderly abuse survivors, and children in child welfare. She has also been involved in program start-ups and holds certifications in various therapeutic models.

“As a member of the Governor’s Conference Planning Committee, we are tasked with nominating individuals and organizations who have displayed exemplary work in child abuse prevention that has had a state-wide impact on children and families in Kansas,” said Christy Sanders, SFM director of training. “When thinking about my co-workers who have had such an impact, Pam naturally came to mind since she has always been a role model to me, has worked with multiple children, families, and organizations, and honestly deserves an award for all she has accomplished in her career.”

Cornwell will receive the Governor’s Conference Overall Conference Award on October 19 in Wichita for her contribution to child welfare in Kansas. Sponsored by the Kansas Children’s Service League, the annual Governor’s Conference features more than 20 co-sponsoring

organizations and is the most comprehensive conference in Kansas about the prevention of child maltreatment.