Judge Karen A. Tighe to Receive 'Friend of Children' Award From Lutheran Child & Family Service of Michigan

BAY CITY, Mich., March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Judge Karen A. Tighe, Bay County Probate Judge, will receive the "Friend of Children" award Saturday, March 6, at the Bavarian Inn, in Frankenmuth, MI. Each year Lutheran Child & Family Service of Michigan (LCFS), hosts "Joy Along the Way," an event designed to celebrate the work of the agency, its volunteers and the local community.  LCFS established a "Friend of Children" award to recognize individuals who have made outstanding, unique and sometimes courageous contributions to advance the well being of children.  

Judge Tighe is a 1972 graduate of the University of Michigan. She received her J.D. from the Detroit College of Law in 1976.  Judge Tighe became an assistant prosecutor in Bay County in 1977, and also served as Friend of the Court Referee for 17 years.  During the last four of those years, she was also the Circuit Court Administrator.  In 1994 she was elected to her first term as Bay County Probate Judge.  She was re-elected in 2000 and 2006.

Dr. Robert G. Miles, President/CEO of LCFS is thankful for Judge Tighe and what she has done for the child welfare system.  "The judicial system plays a defining role for children and families in the child welfare system.  Judge Tighe is one of the most, if not the most, respected jurist in Michigan when it comes to her work with children and families.  She has a genuine commitment to the children and youth who stand before her.  She demands accountability by all parties involved in a child welfare case, as she fully understands the importance and potential life long implications of the decisions she must make. "

During Judge Tighe's tenure, the probate/juvenile court in Bay County has added special programming for youth, including a Day Treatment program located at the Bay-Arenac Community High School, a Gender-Specific After-School program for delinquent girls, and a Family Drug Treatment Court for parents whose children were removed due to substance abuse and neglect.  

Judge Tighe is devoted to her community, and continues to serve in a variety of capacities.  She is a former member of the board for the Bay County Women's Center for five years, and she served as a Governor's appointee to the Michigan Board of Psychology for two years.  She has also served as board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bay County, the United Way of Bay County, and Bay Sail, a non-profit environmental and sail training enterprise.  She is the current chairperson of Bay County's Human Services Collaborative Counsel.

"I firmly believe that if all judges dealing with child welfare issues in the United States were as thorough, knowledgeable, inquisitive and able to establish a genuine rapport with children and youth brought to their courts as Judge Tighe demonstrates, the child welfare system would be significantly improved and the future for children in the 'system' would be so much brighter," comments Miles.  

SOURCE Lutheran Child and Family Service of Michigan