Lifetime commitment to children and families

Poliak began her career as a social worker and child therapist and later served for 20 years in early childhood education as a parent educator and child development expert at Bellevue Community College.

She trained foster parents in Alaska and went on to work at Wellspring Family Services in Seattle, where she retired as the director of family education and support services with a strong emphasis on homeless children and families, outreach services and preventive education.

Poliak has served on prominent boards, including the Child Welfare League of America, Marguerite Casey Foundation, and the King County Commission for Children, Youth, and Families.

In 2015, Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families recognized Poliak with the Fred Rogers Leadership Award in Philanthropy for Children, Youth and Families. In October 2016, Casey Family Programs’ Seattle field office, which provides direct services to youth in foster care, was renamed the Joan B. Poliak Seattle Field Office for Casey Family Programs.