About our President

As a graduate of the University of Michigan, and throughout an accomplished career, Robert E. Ennis has made substantial contributions to improving the lives of children in the child welfare system. Even before founding Ennis Center for Children, Inc., in 1978, he was the recipient of awards such as the Flint Urban League Outstanding Service Award (1971) and the Liberty Bell Award (1972).

       In the 90s, Bob won the prestigious Hugh Whipple Award presented by the Michigan Alliance of Children’s Agencies and the Advocate of the Year Award from the Michigan Federation of Private Child & Family Agencies. Also during the 90s, Bob was appointed to the Special Legislative Commission on Cost Containment convened by the Michigan Speaker of the House. He was also a member of Lieutenant Governor Binsfeld’s Adoption Commission, which streamlined adoption procedures.

        Recently, Bob was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) and the Ad Hoc Committee to oversee the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant (JAIBG). He was instrumental in the formation of the Juvenile Assessment Center and is President of the Central Care Management Organization.

        In 2005, Bob was awarded the national Black Administrators in Child Welfare (BACW) Valeria Bullard Award for exceptional achievement. In 2008, Bob was awarded the Citizen of the Year Award by the Wayne State University School of Social Work Alumni Association for “dynamic leadership as an advocate promoting effective public policy and services to children, youth and families in Michigan.”

        Bob continues to passionately preside over the agency he founded, which has grown to include four facilities with over one hundred employees serving more than 2,500 children and families annually.