Sherina Johnson, a dependency case manager in St. Lucie County, was awarded the United for Families Case Manager of the Year Award Oct. 24, 2009, during United for Families annual gala, Le Bal Masque.

United for Families is the community based care agency that coordinates and oversees child-welfare services in St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.

The agency created the award as a way to recognize and better support the efforts of dependency case managers, who coordinate services for children in the dependency court system. The award has become the centerpiece of United for Families' program to train and retain quality social workers and stabilize the child-welfare system for children.

Johnson is the third winner of the annual award, which comes with a $1,000 bonus. This year, Toyota of Stuart's John Pierson surprised United for Families with an additional $500 toward the bonus.

Pierson, who supports the efforts of United for Families case-manager retention efforts, also gave $500 to each of the runners up, Ruth Bobst, Eileen DuClau and Catherina Nesci.

United for Families gives an award for outstanding case management every three months during a quarterly training that it sponsors for the community. The trainings are an important part of United for Families' efforts to improve the quality of child-welfare services throughout the four-county area.

Johnson, who has been a case manager for four years, was promoted to lead case manager in 2008. She was moved to tears as she accepted the award Saturday night from United for Families Chief Executive Office Christine Demetriades.

"I was in shock when they announced my name," Johnson said. "My job performance is a result of having an excellent support system in place - my supervisors, the United for Families placement team and the other case managers who assist me in my times of need."

"Each year I look forward to presenting this important award. The job of case manager is not only essential to the welfare of children in our community, but it is also extremely mission-focused work. Sherina is breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect through her diligence and caring. We are very proud of her," said CEO Demetriades.