Meet our 2021 End Abuse Long Beach Award Recipients

Robert Wiltse has over thirty (37) years of experience in the field of child welfare.  He is recently retired from the DCFS Lakewood office. His most recent role was managing the Family Preservation Program. Previously he supervised a staff of eight (8) Children’s Services Administrators who were responsible for developing and delivering training related to the Katie A. Settlement Agreement to a variety of stakeholders. 

He also served as Co-Chair for the Core Practice Model development workgroup for the California Partnership for Permanency. This grant used Federal funds to develop Core Competencies and an intervention template to assist African American and Native American children who are disproportionally represented in the foster care system.

Another past assignment was working with Community Agencies in the DCFS Family Support and the Child Abuse Prevention/Intervention Demonstration Project. Robert also has experience working with community agencies developing resources for children who require placement outside the biological family’s home.

Having started as a family maintenance/reunification worker, he later went on to work as a clinician in the county’s Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program for 10 years. In addition to being a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, he is also a certified Mediator with the Consortium for Children. In his spare time, Robert enjoys travelling, whitewater rafting, sky diving, racquetball, and scuba diving.

 Kathy Hughes began her successful career with ChildNet Youth and Family Services, Inc. in 1986.  Prior to being named President/Chief Executive Officer in 2011, she served in a variety of clinical supervisory roles over the years.  

In 2000, she was promoted to Vice President of Community-Based Services, followed by a promotion to Chief Operations Officer in 2009.  Kathy provided oversight of all ChildNet programs including Behavioral Health Services, Education Services, Foster Care, Adoptions and Wraparound/Family Support Services.  After beginning her ChildNet employment as an entry level case manager 36 years ago, she considers it a great honor to provide ultimate oversight of the organization as the President/Chief Executive Officer.  

During her tenure with ChildNet, Kathy has been an integral part of the growth and expansion of the organization.  She possesses excellent leadership skills and has been instrumental in policy development and program implementation. 

Ms. Hughes has great dedication and passion for ChildNet’s mission….”to provide safe homes, education and counseling to vulnerable children and families.”  Kathy enjoys spending time with her dogs and performing music with her two daughters, who are also singer/songwriters.  She created ChildNet’s first music video during the pandemic as a way to bring staff together and send a message of hope to the community.