The NYS Kinship Navigator and the NYS Kincare Coalition established The Cura Awards in 2015 to annually recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of those involved with kinship care.
A volunteer committee reviews nominations and select honorees in the following categories:
- Outstanding Professional – An individual working in the field of kinship care or related field or that has had a significant positive impact on kinship care in New York State as a result of their work.
- Outstanding Organization – A nonprofit organization in New York State providing kinship care or that has had a significant positive impact on kinship care.
- Outstanding Kinship Caregiver – Any kinship caregiver living in New York State that has demonstrated outstanding selflessness, leadership or has overcome tremendous barriers.
- Kinship Champion: A state or national official or organization leader who has vigorously worked to help kinship families.
2022
Outstanding Kinship Caregivers
- Donald and Wendy Morin
- William Jeffers
- Jacqueline Hern
- Kinship Champion: Carole B. Cox, Fordham University
- Outstanding Professional: Amy Drayer, AFFCNY
- Outstanding Organization: Grandparent Resource Center of NYC (GRC)
2021
- Outstanding Kinship Caregivers
- Doris Lewis, Brooklyn
- Ellen Earley, Cazenovia
- Kathleen and Faino Coleman, White Plains
- Kate and David Kruk, Rotterdam
- John Medina, Brooklyn
- Kinship Champion: Senator Roxanne Persaud, Chair, Social Services Committee
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Gerard Wallace, Founder, NYS Kinship Navigator
- Outstanding Professional: Marya Gilborn, Director of Social Services, The Family Center
- Outstanding Organization: Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York
2020
- Outstanding Kinship Caregiver: Sharon Johnson, Yonkers, NY
- Outstanding Kinship Caregiver: Kim Hinkson, Staten Island, NY
- Outstanding Professional: Carolyn Fluckinger, Director, Family Service Society of Yonkers’ Kinship Support Program
- Outstanding Organization: Kinship Families of the North Country: Allyson McDonald & Juliette Lynch, Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country
- Kinship Champion: Greg Olsen, Acting Director, NYS Office for the Aging
2019
- Outstanding Kinship Caregiver: Crystal Hosannah
- Outstanding Professional: Deb Faulks, Family Enrichment Network
- Outstanding Organization: Cattaraugus County Kinship System of Care
- Kinship Champion: Senator Velmanette Montgomery
- Kinship Champion: Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi
Lifetime Achievement Awards:
Kinship Caregiver Champions
- Maria Lemons
- Maggie Lee
- Doris Williams
- Brigitte Castellano
- Linda James
- Gloria Woods
- Cindi and Jeff Fountain
2018
- Outstanding Kinship Caregiver: Cheryl Starks, NYC
- Outstanding Professional: Susan Antos, Esq., Empire Justice Center
- Outstanding Organization: Onondaga County Department of Children and Families Child Welfare Division
- Kinship Champion: Sheila Poole, Acting Commissioner, NYS Office of Children and Family Services
2017
Outstanding Kinship Caregiver: Leora Keith, NYC
Outstanding Professional: Bill Ferris, AARP
Outstanding Organization: Jewish Board of Family and Children Services, Inc. – Kinship Care Program
Kinship Champion: Senator Marty Golden
Kinship Champion: Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee
Kinship Champion: Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer
2016
Outstanding Kinship Caregiver: Marguerite Roper, Brooklyn
Outstanding Organization: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County, Relatives as Parents Program
Kinship Champion: Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo
Kinship Champion: Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins
2015
Outstanding Kinship Caregiver: Barbara Denniston, Orange County
Outstanding Professional: David Shapiro, Center for Elder Law and Justice
Outstanding Organization: GrandPower Advocates of the Family Service Society of Yonkers
NYS Kincare Coalition 