Seattle’s Child is proud to partner with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families Strengthening Families Washington to honor outstanding caregivers doing important work on behalf of children.
All month long, we’ll introduce you to Unsung Heroes from around the state: biological parents, grandparents, foster and adoptive parents. Some volunteer at local schools; some have started nonprofits; some mentor others in their communities. Enjoy their stories.
Shrounda Selivanoff, Seattle
We are honored to nominate Shrounda for this award as she has demonstrated multiple strengths related to the five Protective Factors against child abuse and neglect. After overcoming addiction 12 years ago and navigating the dependency court system, she was reunited with her daughter, Alexis.
In the wake of this experience, Shrounda has spent many years supporting other parents navigating the child welfare system, including serving as a parent facilitator for the Parent for Parent program at King County Superior Court from 2010-14, facilitator and leader of the Washington State Parent Ally Committee from 2010-17, and as parent lead Children’s Home Society of Washington through a Gates Foundation grant from 2010-12.
In recent years, she has worked as a family case manager at Partnership for Families from 2011-15, community navigator/home visitor for the Parent-Child Assistance Program at Evergreen Recovery Centers/UW Fetal Alcohol Drug Unit from 2015-17, and as social service worker at the Washington State Office of Public Defense/Parents Representation Program. She also is a kinship caregiver to her 3-year-old grandson.
This has led to Shrounda being asked to serve on a number of committees and coalitions and give presentations and engage in conversations across the country to educate others about the intersection of race, poverty and the child welfare system with the ultimate goal of revolutionizing the child welfare system. Because of her wealth of knowledge, she now advocates on behalf of parents, kinship caregivers and family preservation in her role as the public policy director at Children’s Home Society of Washington.
Nominators: Laurie Lippold and Janica Lockhart
This story was originally published on Feb. 7, 2021.
More Unsung Heroes:
Cristal Moreno stays positive despite fire and other challenges
Mercer Island mom uses storytelling skills to make world a more inclusive place
