We invite all of the DEC community to consider applying for the 2025 DEC Awards!

 

Each year DEC honors individuals who are making a difference in the lives of young children who have developmental delays and disabilities and their families.

 

This year, only self-nominations will be accepted, so please celebrate yourself and submit an application!

 

If you feel that someone should apply, please share this process with them and encourage them to submit an application.

 

Awards Nomination Process

Step 1: Nomination Application

Applications will be completed through a self-nomination process that includes:

• Completion of the 2025 DEC Awards Questionnaire (previously nomination letter). Questions can be found here for preparation.

• Submission of your current resume or curriculum vitae.

• Submission of the names of 2 people to complete a letter of support (including their names and emails). Please inform these people that you are submitting for the 2025 DEC Awards and which award you are submitting for. You are welcome to also share your resume or curriculum vitae and questionnaire responses with them.

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All applications can be completed here and are due by Friday, April 4th, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

 

Step 2: Letters of Support

Each person identified to submit a letter of support will be notified and provided with an electronic link to submit a letter. Notifications will include award information and letter expectations. This includes a limit of 2 letters of support. Letters of support may be up to 2 pages in length using a minimum of 10 point font and must be completed by one person.

 

For student awards, one letter of support must be from a faculty mentor or academic advisor.

 

All letters of support are due by Friday, April 25th, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

 

Step 3: Review by the Awards Committee

All materials (e.g., questionnaire, resume or curriculum vitae, letters of support) will be reviewed by the DEC Awards Committee using a rubric aligned with the award criteria. Awardees will be selected by the committee.

 

Step 4: Notifications

All individuals submitting for awards will be notified of the results by Sunday, June 1st, 2025.

 

Notes:

• The DEC Awards Program is only available to current DEC Members with the exception of the DEC Student Award.

• You may only apply for one (1) award category.

• Members of the DEC Executive Office, DEC Executive Board, DEC Awards Committee, and any DEC Committee Chairs are not eligible to be nominated for awards or provide letters of support for any nominee. This does not apply to student awards (e.g., Sexton Doctoral Award, DEC Student Award).

• Any conflicts of interest will be examined and addressed throughout the awards process.

 

Questions on the 2025 DEC Awards should be directed to Jenna Weglarz-Ward (jenna.weglarz-ward@unlv.edu), DEC Awards Committee Co-Chair.

 

2025 DEC Awards Committee
Jenna Weglarz-Ward (Co-Chair), LaShorage Shaffer (Co-Chair), Serra Acar, Radha Bala, Shameka Brown, Christina Tiemann, Victor James Young