Honoring and Commending Katherine Cross for her excellent work within the Department of Human Services.

WHEREAS,

Katherine Cross has served the citizens of Philadelphia, and more specifically, the children and families of Philadelphia, as an employee of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) since 1977; and

WHEREAS, Upon obtaining her Masters in Social Work in 1981 from Rutgers University – Camden, Katherine Cross went on to be a Social Work Supervisor and then Social Work Administrator for Family Service Region 2 through 1994; and

WHEREAS, DHS moved Ms. Cross into the position of Social Work Administrator for Adoptions in 1994; and

WHEREAS, One of the goals set forth in the DHS strategic plan is to assure the existence of permanent and safe home environments in a timely manner for the individuals that DHS serves; and

WHEREAS, Katherine Cross, through her hard work and the work of dedicated staff members, has found permanent and safe home environments for thousands of children; and

WHEREAS, While serving as administrator of the adoption section for DHS from 1994 through 1999, adoption rates increased an incredible 433%; and

WHEREAS, In 1999 DHS once again promoted Katherine, this time to the executive level position of Director of Family Services for Region III; and

WHEREAS, DHS Commissioner Alba Martinez and Katherine Cross recognize the success of the past but are not willing to rest on their laurels and instead have set a goal to increase finalized adoptions by another 61% for Fiscal Year 2001; and

WHEREAS

,

Katherine Cross has been recognized by her peers statewide as Pennsylvania Adoption Professional of the Year for 2000; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

,

That it hereby honors and commends Katherine Cross for her excellent work within the Department of Human Services.

FURTHER RESOLVED

,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Katherine Cross as evidence of the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body for the many years of dedicated service that she has provided the children and families of Philadelphia.

End