🏆 Maria Figueroa Elected CWCA Support Staff of the Year (2025)!
We are thrilled to announce that our Administrative Assistant and Intake Specialist, Maria Figueroa, has been elected this year’s Child Welfare Contributing Agency (CWCA) Support Staff of the Year!
Maria has been an invaluable asset to our agency for 12 years. Her dedication, organizational skills, and friendly demeanor make an impact daily.
Highlights of Maria's Contributions:
Mentorship: She recently trained a new Intake Specialist, enabling the employee to quickly adapt to the vital role.
Interstate Services Intake: In her role as an Intake Specialist, Maria thoughtfully guides prospective caregivers through the initial home study process, shaping their first positive impression of the agency and setting the stage for permanency for children.
Bilingual Support: Maria's bilingual skills (Spanish/English) are crucial. She assists all agency programs by engaging with Latino clients, providing interpretation in sensitive situations, and translating essential agency documents, ensuring effective service delivery and building trust.
Team Player: Consistently regarded as capable, proficient, and helpful, Maria is always willing to take on new tasks and lend a hand, making her input vital to the agency's success.
Our agency and the families we serve are significantly better off with Maria as part of the team. Congratulations, Maria!
2023 NASW-Illinois Chapter Statewide Awards
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Thomas A. Kmetko (he/him), LCSW
Originally from Ohio, Tom moved to Chicago to attend Wheaton College, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1961. He attended the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, obtaining his AM in 1965.
Tom held several positions with the Department of Public Aid before working for the Illinois Department of Children Services, holding several administrative positions. Beginning in 1986, Tom worked for several years providing mental health services.
In 1990 he founded Kmetko & Associates, Ltd., a child welfare agency providing interstate compact services to DCFS. With his staff, Tom has dedicated the last 30+ years to the agency’s growth, establishing it as a premier provider of services for the state.
Staff Meeting
November 7, 2018
Staff and friends gather to celebrate Marcia Treffman’s retirement. Her distinguished career included 20 years of dedicated service to the agency.
Bike the Drive
May 27, 2018
Kmetko staff and friends enjoy Bike the Drive.
NASWIL Advocacy Day
April 11, 2018
Staff visited the capitol on National Association of Social Work Illinois Advocacy Day to talk with legislators about the agency's work. We also had the opportunity to meet with the Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton, who represents the district where the agency's office is located.
AAICPC CONFERENCE Portland, Maine
May 21, 2017
Staff members attended the annual conference for the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). We attended training on child welfare practices and connected with ICPC administrators across the country.
City Club of Chicago
April 28, 2015
Staff members and board members attended an event with the City Club of Chicago to hear George Sheldon, the new Director of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS). He spoke about the responsibilities of IDCFS and shared his vision for the Department.
photo credit: City Club of Chicago
NCJFCJ CONFERENCE
July 13-16, 2014
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges conference was held in Chicago. We were able to speak with many judges and other service providers exhibiting at the conference.
IDCFS 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
June 17, 2014
We had the opportunity to attend an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Illinois Department of Children and Families. Here is a photo of staff members with past IDCFS directors.
photo credit: IDCFS
AAICPC CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO, CA
May 3-5, 2014
Staff members attended the annual conference for the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. This was a wonderful chance for KAL to meet with ICPC administrators who receive our home study and supervision reports.
One very interesting session by Reuters journalist Megan Twohey focused on "rehoming" of adopted children. Click here for her article which provides more information on this issue.