Crompton honored for work for children

A local child advocate will be recognized next month for her efforts on behalf of Utah's children.

Karen Crompton, executive director of Voices for Utah Children, will receive the 2006 Florette Angel Memorial Child Advocacy Award at a Voices for America's Children and KIDS COUNT conference in Baltimore.

"The Florette Angel Award recognizes Karen Crompton's achievements in Utah as a dedicated and effective child advocate and as a leader in the Voices network," Tamara Lucas Copeland, president of Voices for America's Children, said in a statement. "Her achievements and commitment are exemplary of the power a child advocate has to truly better the world for kids and ensure that their interests are represented in state and federal legislative arenas."

Crompton has been with Voices for Utah's Children for five years. In that time, the organization has had a hand in many areas benefiting children. This year, Crompton proposed extending Medicaid coverage for foster youth until they turn 21. The bill passed unanimously in both the House and Senate.

Crompton works with a variety of other organizations to increase critical child issues, including the Utah Early Childhood Council, the Utah Nonprofits Association Board, Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr.'s minimum-wage work group and the Child Abuse Prevention Task Force.