The Mary McEvoy Service to the Field Award is given to a parent, community member, or professional who has made notable and significant national or international contributions to the field of early childhood special education. It is given in memory of Mary McEvoy who was a leader in the early childhood special education field.

Candidates for the Mary McEvoy Service to the Field Award shall meet the following criteria:

• Be a parent, community member, or a professional in an agency or an organization in the field of early intervention or an area that directly impacts on early intervention.
• Have made significant contributions, on a national or international level, which have improved or will improve the lives of young children with special needs, their families, or those who work on their behalf. Contributions may be in direct service, leadership, policy, research, advocacy, or publications. These contributions should be consistent with the overall goals of DEC.

The individual honored with this award will receive:   a plaque during the opening ceremony of the International DEC Conference on Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families and complimentary conference registration. 

To nominate an individual for the Mary McEvoy Service to the Field Award:

1.         Read the nomination criteria above.
2.         Prepare a nomination portfolio, which contains:

• letter of nomination indicating the award for which the person is being nominated and an overview of the individual’s accomplishments related to the criteria established for the award
• two additional letters of nomination
• the individual’s resume or vita