San Bernardino County Children’s Network is proud to announce the 27th annual Shine a Light on Child Abuse Prevention (SAL) awards ceremony, a meaningful community event honoring individuals and organizations dedicated to protecting children and strengthening families throughout our county.
Held each year in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Shine a Light Awards highlight the power of collaboration and community commitment. Professionals, advocates, volunteers and partners from across sectors are recognized for their outstanding efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect, promote child safety and support the well-being of children and families.
This year marks a special milestone as the Lifetime Advocate Award is officially renamed the Kent Paxton Lifetime Advocate Award, honoring Kent Paxton’s enduring commitment to protecting children and strengthening families throughout San Bernardino County.
For decades, Paxton has been a steadfast champion for children, working to elevate prevention efforts, strengthen partnerships and promote systems that support the safety and well-being of families. His leadership has helped shape collaborative approaches that prioritize early intervention, community engagement and cross-sector cooperation.
Renaming this award in his honor recognizes the profound and lasting impact of his work. It reflects the values he represents — service, collaboration, compassion and an unwavering belief that every child deserves a safe, nurturing environment. The Kent Paxton Lifetime Advocate Award will continue to recognize individuals whose lifelong efforts embody these principles and whose work has made a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
This year’s ceremony will recognize one Lifetime Advocate and 18 Shine a Light honorees, representing a broad network of champions working in education, healthcare, behavioral health, law enforcement, social services, nonprofit organizations, faith communities and beyond. Their work reflects the shared belief that prevention is a collective responsibility and that every child deserves a safe, stable and nurturing environment.
In addition to honoring community leaders, Children’s Fund San Bernardino will present Shine a Light Scholarships to deserving youth, recognizing resilience, achievement and hope for the future. This special presentation underscores the importance of investing in young people and supporting their path toward success.
Our 2026 Shine a Light honorees are:
Lifetime Advocate: Bill Degnan, Operation New Hope
Shine a Light honorees:
- Behavioral Health – Ubuntu Psychological Services
- Business – Thinkwise Federal Credit Union
- Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation – Justine Sanchez, detective, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
- Children and Family Services – Jane Canu, child welfare services manager, San Bernardino County Children and Family Services
- Community Based Organization – Arrowhead United Way
- Community Based Provider – Betty Chambers, director of programs, Children’s Fund
- Early Childhood Mental Health Systems – Wilyon Miller, licensed marriage and family therapist, Yonnik Support
- Education – San Bernardino Community College District, Economic Development & Corporate Training
- Family Engagement – Teresa Sibal, secretary, Victor Elementary School District, Family Resource Center
- Father Engagement – ThePlace4Grace
- Foster Parents – Marci and Frank Rodriguez
- Healthcare – Oscar Collins, CEO, C&C Center for Healing
- Law Enforcement – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Crimes Against Children Detail
- Legal – Rosa Ayala, deputy public defender, San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office
- Mental Health – Dominique Pierce, lead mental health specialist, Young Visionaries
- Probation – Rosa Cisneros, probation correction officer, San Bernardino County Probation Department
- Public Health – Jacqueline Ortega, public health nurse, Department of Public Health
- Volunteer – Carli Tejeiro, chapter director, Royal Family
Community members are invited to join the celebration honoring these outstanding individuals.
The 27th annual Shine a Light Awards ceremony will be held:
Thursday, April 2
DoubleTree Hotel Ontario
222 N. Vineyard Ave. in Ontario
Breakfast: 8 – 9 a.m.
Ceremony: 9 – 11 a.m.
Tickets are now available. To purchase seats or request additional information, please contact Denise McKinney at Denise.McKinney@hss.sbcounty.gov or call 909-383-9677. Together, we can shine a light on child abuse prevention and build a safer, brighter future for all children in San Bernardino County.
Additional County Update News – March 5, 2026
- County secures nearly $7 million for infrastructure, public safety and community facilities
- Public safety update on the Iran conflict
- Arrowhead Regional Medical Center announces the appointment of Carlos Prieto as chief operating and strategy officer
- Spring ahead. Stay prepared.
- Agriculture/Weights & Measures sets the standard for ‘We Measure What Matters’ theme during National Weights and Measures Week
- SPARK Youth Employment Program applications open March 16
- San Bernardino County invites community to celebrate champions of child abuse prevention
- San Bernardino County holds after-action review to strengthen future emergency response
- San Bernardino County invites community input on new behavioral health plan
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