Barb Sorum, regional director of Prevention Initiatives with Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, presented the 2012 Outstanding Children’s Program Leader Award to Carlos Kramer of Albert Lea.

The statewide parent advisory team selected Kramer as this year’s recipient from nominations received from across the state. This annual recognition honors the children’s program leader who has made significant contributions to their Circle of Parents group, as well as knowledge of child development, principles of mutual self-help, family dynamics and shared leadership.

Sorum said Kramer has served as the Albert Lea Circle of Parents children’s program leader for the past five years and is amazing with the children. He’s a joy to have in the children’s room and the kids love that he gets on the floor to play, build, put puzzles together or just read story books. She said Kramer also incorporates activities that enhance positive social skills, responsibility, honesty, patience, being polite and strengthening their confidence.

Kramer is bilingual and readily gives of his time and talent to help translate flyers, posters, stories and parent handouts, which enable the opportunity to reach more diverse populations, strengthen families and support positive parenting skills throughout the area. He has also been involved in numerous other prevention initiatives and awareness activities throughout April (National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month), distributing parent/child activity seed packets to K-first-graders and hot cocoa packets in October (National Domestic Violence Awareness Month) to second-graders countywide. Kramer also shares his dedication by volunteering with local proclamation signing, pinwheel garden and blue ribbon events to help increase awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention.

Circle of Parents (a program of Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota) mission is to empower parents to create healthy and loving families through positive parenting and mutual self-help. The Albert Lea Circle of Parents program is currently reorganizing but intends to begin offering weekly parenting support and education classes again in late September or early October. These classes are free and open to the public. For more information contact Sorum at bsorum@pcamn.org or 383-8842.

Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota also provides parent advocacy opportunities along with leadership and training. Materials and additional information to promote strengthening families and communities are available at www.pcamn.org.