Texas Association of Infant Mental Health and Texas Parents as Teachers, co-sponsors of the Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award and Conference are pleased to announce that the 2010 T. Berry Brazelton, M.D. Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award will be presented to Texas Supreme Court Justice, Harriet O’Neill. The presentation will be on January 8th during the conference luncheon.
This award has been presented to outstanding individuals in the field who have made extraordinary contributions to early childhood development. Past award winners include Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. Bruce Perry.

After attending the first National Judicial Leadership Summit on Children in 2003, she was committed to improve outcomes for families involved in the child protective service system through judicial leadership. She recognized that strong judicial leadership and oversight are essential to avoid unnecessary placements of children in foster care and to prevent delays in placing children in safe, permanent homes.

Through her leadership the Supreme Court established the Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families. Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson acknowledged at a public hearing that without Justice O’Neill, Texas could have never come this far.

Justice O’Neill serves as the Chair of the Judicial Commission. She takes time from her busy schedule as a Supreme Court Justice to meet regularly with the Judicial Commission staff and plays a very active role in learning about the many and varied projects directed by the Commission. Through her work, the system is improving for those children and families involved in the child protective service system.

The children of the state have a true advocate in Justice O’Neill!