Not all individuals who play integral roles in the Kingfisher County court system are judges or lawyers.

That’s the premise behind the Kingfisher County Bar Association’s Liberty Bell Award, presented each year on Law Day (May 1) to one or more nonlawyers who contribute in some way to support the county judicial system.

This year’s recipients, recognized at the bar association’s annual Law Day luncheon Wednesday, are social workers in the child welfare system of the county Department of Human Services.

Present to receive the award were Child Welfare Supervisor Marci Johnson and social workers Judi George, Debbie Osborn, Jennifer Marler and Jeff Mussman, and aide Cheri Velasco.

Johnson, a 17-year DHS veteran, is followed in experience level by Osborn and Marler, both five years; Mussman, one year, and George, who began working in the department four months ago.

Averaging more than five years of experience per worker, that longevity is an anomaly in a high-burnout profession where the average tenure is less than two years.

Not only are child welfare workers tasked with investigating reports of child abuse and neglect in the county, but also with assessing family needs and developing service plans and shepherding parents and children through the judicial process with court intervention is warranted.

Their jobs also involve interacting with attorneys and judges during routinely-scheduled court appearances, up to and including jury trials when necessary.

Child welfare workers also are charged with finding alternative placement when children are removed from their homes, such as with other relatives or in foster homes.

And, in cases when families are broken beyond repair and reunifying children with their parents isn’t possible, child welfare workers also are responsible for developing and facilitating alternate permanency plans, including adoption.

In 2018, Kingfisher County’s child welfare staff investigated 115 cases of alleged abuse or neglect involving 203 children, substantiating 79 of those cases.

A total of 45 children are currently in DHS custody in out-of-home placement, which Johnson says is an all-time high for the county, and nine children were adopted last year.

Associate District Judge Lance Schneiter and retired Associate District Judge Robert Davis presided at the presentation, calling attention to the inspired service of the child welfare workers who are the first people on the scene to ensure the welfare of children in precarious situations.

Davis and Schneiter both praised the dedication of the individuals, commenting they don’t do it for the money but rather to serve the interests of those in their community.

“I think our system is the best in the state,” Davis said. “They (child welfare workers) start from the first report and see cases through to the finish.”

Davis pointed out the work is fraught with disappointment and heartache but also elation when the cases result in successful resolutions.

Bar Association President Katie Schulte welcomed members and guests to the luncheon meeting, commenting:

“On Law Day, we renew our commitment to the rule of law and our Constitution. The rule of law requires that no one be above the obligations of the law or beneath its protections.

“This year the theme for Law Day is ‘Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society.’

These freedoms were the vision of our forefathers, and it is our responsibility to make sure these freedoms are preserved.

“Ronald Reagan said, ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.’ Today we come together to celebrate Law Day, and realize our unique position as legal professionals to preserve these freedoms for all citizens, now and in the future.”

Randy Mecklenburg of Harrison & Mecklenburg gave the invocation.