Awards
Jeanette A. McCollum Award for Service to the Field
Candidates for the Jeanette A. McCollum Award shall meet the following criteria:
- Be a professional in an agency or an organization in the field of early intervention/early childhood (Birth-8), family member, student or community member, or an area that directly impacts early intervention/early childhood (e.g., government);
- It is encouraged, but not required, that the candidate be a current member of DEC;
- Have made significant contributions on a state, regional, or local 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 services, personnel preparation, leadership, policy development, research, advocacy, or publications and are supportive of the goals of Illinois, IDEC and International DEC.
IDEC Family Engagement Award
This is a competitive award, established in 2015, and will be presented biennially at SAV. The award is presented to an early childhood professional, family member, student, or community member who have made significant contributions on a state, regional, or local 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 must be related to family engagement and be consistent with the overall goals of IDEC. The winner’s name is kept a secret until it is announced at SAV opening session.
Candidates for the Family Engagement Award shall meet the following criteria:
- Be a Parent, Family Member, Educator or Community Member.
- Has demonstrated a commitment to strengthen family engagement initiatives in the field of early intervention/early childhood education.
- Has made significant contributions on a local, regional or state level, which have improved or will improve the lives of families of young children with special needs.
- It is encouraged, but not required, that the candidate be a current member of DEC.
