8/20/14 - A local advocate dedicated to helping children with disabilities achieve success, independence and inclusion is the 2014 recipient of Livingston Countyâs Champion for Children Award. For the past 26 years, Deb Calandrino has worked in various roles in Livingston County from advocating for children with disabilities to helping families gain the necessary skills to ensure the best possible lifelong outcomes for their children. Officials say she envisions and strives to build a community where all children are supported through their challenges, valued for their diversity and recognized and included for their abilities and potential. Calandrino currently works as a family advocate for The Arc of Livingston and officials say in the last 14 years alone, she has helped more than 300 families annually and positively impacted thousands of children. Calandrino said she was very humbled by the award and is fortunate to work in a community with dedicated mental health workers, teachers and clinicians who are all committed to making a difference in the lives of children. The Champion for Children Award is a joint effort between LACASAâs Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Great Start Collaborative of Livingston County. This yearâs award was presented to Calandrino, who is pictured in middle, by Great Start Livingston Coordinator Robin Schutz and retired Livingston County prosecutor David Morse, who is a member of LACASAâs Board of Directors and its CAP Council. (JM)
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