Carpentersville social worker earns inaugural award

Carpentersville's longest serving police department social worker has earned the inaugural Member of the Year Award from the Illinois Association of Police Social Workers.

Griselda Hernandez, who has been with the department for almost 12 years, was recognized recently by village board members.

"It was shocking because all of the police social workers in the association should be recognized," Hernandez said. "The focus is always on the police officers - and rightfully so, they put their lives on the line - but we provide a service that is rare in our communities. There are only three in our area."

Elgin and Carpentersville both have full-time social workers, while Aurora employs a social worker part time.

The Illinois Association of Police Social Workers is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development, practice and enhancement of social services provided within law enforcement settings, according to a mission statement on its Web site.

Members of the association, which represents almost 50 police social workers from Illinois, Wisconsin and North Carolina, nominated peers and voted for the award's recipient. Nominees were recognized for their outstanding commitment to their community and the for contributions to the association.

"She goes above and beyond and completely meets the definition of what we were looking for," said Lisa Fowler, president of the Illinois Association of Police Social Workers and a social worker for the Buffalo Grove police department. "She is an active member and has been the secretary for the past year. Within the community she provides much-needed services to Latino community."

After spending a few months in the police records department, Hernandez moved into the social worker role. Her predecessor lasted just a few months.

In the last decade, Hernandez has implemented some of the department's most successful programs, like Strengthening Families and other youth-based programs, Carpentersville Police Chief David Neumann said.

"She is the first one to develop successful and effective programs in the village," Neumann said. "The programs help youths make proper choices so they don't get involved in gang activity. I commend her for all of the work she has done here."