The DEC Family Award is given to a DEC member who is or a family member of a child with a disability and has made significant contributions through service to the field and community. This award is given to demonstrate the importance of recognizing families who are making a difference in the field.

Criteria:

• Is a family member* of a child with a disability.

• Describes the importance of DEC’s Vision, Mission, and Racial Equity Point of View

• Has made significant contributions in promoting and supporting families through a variety of activities, which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Advocacy for improving services for families of young children with disabilities and/or supporting their voice and advocacy at the program, local, community, state, or national level.

  • Development of materials, resources, or models that support families in meeting priorities for children and/or families.

  • Leadership in developing policies or guidelines that ensure families can access services.

  • Building the capacity of families to move into leadership roles at the program, local, state, or national levels; and/or

  • Has shown leadership in growing family networks by involving more families within the local, state, or national levels.

  • participation in committees, councils, boards, training groups, or other family-related activities (e.g., Head Start Policy Council, IDEA Part C ICC, family advisory boards).

*Definition of Family - "may include many people – mother, father, parent, partners, children, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. For this award, please consider your family as those people who think of themselves as part of a specific family (even though they may or may not be related by blood or marriage) who support and care for each other on a regular basis.”

The DEC Award for Mentoring is given to a DEC member who has provided significant guidance to the development of students and/or new practitioners in the field. This may be, but not limited to, faculty advisors, mentor teachers/providers, administrators/principals, coaches, program managers, family mentors, or supervisors. This award is given to demonstrate the importance of training and guiding the next generation of leaders in the field.

Criteria:

• Has made significant contributions towards training, guiding, and mentoring families, students, and/or practitioners in the field.

• Through mentorship, has provided evidence of leadership, knowledge, and skills consistent with recommended practices in the field.

• Demonstrates how their mentoring aligns with and promotes DEC’s Vision, Mission, and Racial Equity Point of View.

The DEC Student Award is given to a student enrolled in an associate, bachelor, certificate, or master’s degree program who has demonstrated significant commitment and contributions to enhancing the lives of young children with disabilities and their families through professional activity in the field of inclusive early childhood care and education.

Criteria:

• Is a student currently enrolled at the time of the nomination in an associate, bachelor, certificate, or master’s degree program in early childhood special education, inclusive or unified early childhood, or other discipline related to service for young children with disabilities and their families.

• Has demonstrated service to young children with disabilities and their families, communities, early childhood programs, and/or university/college programs that align with DEC’s Vision, Mission, and Racial Equity Point of View.

• Additionally, has participated in a variety of activities, which may include, but are not limited to:

  • leadership activities or positions within the university/college program, professional organization(s), early childhood program(s), or community organizations that influence the lives of young children with disabilities and their families.

  • membership and/or active involvement in professional or other community organizations/groups that serve young children with disabilities and their families.

  • provider/teacher in the early intervention, early childhood special education, or other disciplines related to service for young children with disabilities and their families; and/or,

  • active participation in learning experiences through coursework and field experiences, internships, etc.

The J. David Sexton Doctoral Student Award is given to a DEC doctoral-level member who has made contributions to young children with disabilities and their families through their efforts in research, higher education, publications, policy, and/or information dissemination. This award is named for J. David Sexton, in honor of his passionate commitment to doctoral leadership preparation. David was revered as an outstanding mentor by those who were fortunate to learn from and with him. The Sexton Award is given to a doctoral student who embodies the leadership characteristics David possessed and worked unselfishly to nurture others. The doctoral student award is supported by David’s colleagues, friends, and family to ensure his contributions to DEC and to leadership preparation live on through a new generation of scholars and leaders in the field.

Criteria:

• Is enrolled at the time of nomination in a doctoral degree program in early intervention, early childhood special education, or other disciplines related to service for young children with disabilities and their families.

• Demonstrates activities that are aligned with DEC’s Vision, Mission, and Racial Equity Point of View.

• Has participated in and demonstrates leadership potential in research/scholarship, teaching, and/or service/engagement. These activities may include but are not limited to:

  • research project development, coordination, and/or implementation, grant writing, grant awards, data collection activities, and data analysis activities;

  • writing manuscripts for publication, (e.g., published manuscripts, manuscripts submitted for publication, written project reports disseminated to professional groups, and manuscripts in progress);

  • presenting at the local, state/provincial, and/or national/international levels;

  • teaching at the college/university level; and/or,

  • providing service to the field at the community, state, national, or international levels.

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

Criteria:

• Is a family member, community member, or professional in an agency or an organization in the field of early intervention/early childhood special education or in an area that directly impacts early intervention/early childhood special education.

• Has made significant contributions on a national or international level, which have improved or will improve the lives of young children with disabilities, their families, or those who work on their behalf. These contributions may be in direct service, leadership, policy, research, advocacy, or publications and should be consistent with the overall goals of DEC.

• Demonstrates commitment to DEC’s Vision, Mission, and Racial Equity Point of View.

The Merle B. Karnes Award for Service is given to a DEC member who has made significant contributions to DEC in the areas of leadership, service, research, advocacy, and publications. The award is given in honor of Dr. Merle Karnes, who served for years as a member of the DEC Executive Board and was the founder and first editor of the Journal for Early Intervention.

Criteria:

• Has been a member of DEC for at least 5 consecutive years at the time of the award.

• Has made notable and significant contributions to DEC and its members in the areas of leadership, service, research, advocacy, and dissemination.

• These contributions should be national or international in scope or impact and be consistent with the overall goals of DEC.

• Demonstrates commitment to DEC’s Vision, Mission, and Racial Equity Point of View.

The Rose C. Engel Award for Excellence in Professional Practice will be awarded to a DEC member who is a practicing professional and whose primary role is serving young children with disabilities and their families. This award is given to honor Rose Engel, DEC’s first president, whose leadership shaped DEC as an organization.

Criteria:

• Is a practicing professional whose primary role is serving young children with disabilities and their families.

• Has made significant contributions to the field at the community or state level that have improved, or will improve, the lives of young children with disabilities and their families.

• Has provided evidence of possessing knowledge and skills consistent with recommended practices in the field.

• Demonstrates practices that align with DEC Vision, Mission, and Racial Equity Point of View.