Alabama DHR Spirit of APS Award Winner Kelly Brewer

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) has announced that Kelly Brewer, a social worker with Lauderdale County DHR, is the recipient of the 2026 Alabama Spirit of Adult Protective Services (APS) Award.

The award is presented annually to a front-line worker who, through his or her initiative and innovative ideas, makes substantial contributions to the growth and development of the APS program. As the Spirit of the APS Award recipient for Alabama, Ms. Brewer is also nominated for the Spirit of the National Adult Protective Services Association Award, which will be presented in September.

Ms. Brewer is a 2018 graduate of the University of North Alabama, where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree.

“Kelly’s dedication to safeguarding the dignity of vulnerable seniors exemplifies compassion in action,” said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. “The Spirit of APS Award honors not only her outstanding work, but also the lives she has positively impacted across Alabama.”

Ms. Brewer joined the Lauderdale County DHR APS Unit in 2024 and soon began to stand out among her peers as a leader and continuously found ways to resolve some of the most challenging cases.

As a member of the APS Unit, Ms. Brewer has assisted with community partnerships, legal resolutions, Medicaid approvals, and built relationships with attorneys, judges and other court staff to advocate for her cases.

“Ms. Brewer goes far beyond minimum expectations,” said Lauderdale County APS Supervisor Terra Smith. “She does not settle for surface-level information. She digs deeper, gathers facts, builds rapport, and uses her experience and confidence to advocate for the adults she serves.”

###