ANNUAL VIRGINIA APSE AWARDS

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 9,2011

VA-APSE is pleased to announce their call for nominations for the annual VA-APSE AWARDS. The nominations and awards are intended to honor those who have, by their contributions and example promoted supported employment. Each year award recipients are honored at the annual Collaborations Conference Award Ceremony and are nominated for the National APSE Awards. Nominations mustbe completed with all requested information.

2011VA-APSE Winners will be submitted

for the 2012 National APSE Awards to be awarded at the National APSE Conference in Arlington Virginia June 2012

VA-APSE is accepting nominations for the following categories:

(Please note: Awardees should be willing to travel to Virginia Beach on Monday October 3, 2011to receive their award in person! Funding is available through the Jewel Sexton Scholarship fund to assist supported employees with expenses.)

Professional Award

Description: To confer recognition on an individual for outstanding best practices and professional achievements as a job coach, job developer, employment specialist, or agency personnel. Please consider the following criteria when writing your narrative as to why this individual is deserving of this recognition.

Criteria:

  • What makes this individual exceptional in their area?
  • What have their achievements been and why are they significant?
  • What do the person’s served/employers say about this individual’s/organization’s accomplishments?

Best Practices Award

Description: To confer recognition on an organization for outstanding accomplishments in promoting best practices in supported employment. Please consider the following criteria when writing your narrative as to why this organization is deserving of this recognition.

Criteria:

  • What makes this organization exceptional in their area?
  • What have their achievements been and why are they significant?
  • What do the person’s served/employers say about this organization’s accomplishments?

Supported Employee Award

Description: To confer recognition of a supported employee for outstanding achievement in employment. This award is to recognize personal achievement or model employment. Please consider the following criteria when writing your narrative as to why this individual is deserving of this recognition.

Criteria:

  • Has the nominee been employed at least 6 months?
  • What makes this individual exceptional in their area?
  • What have their achievements been and why are they significant?
  • Explain the type of work the nominee performs

Employer Award -(Two categories)

Small Employer award – Less than 25 employees

Large Employer award – More than 25 employees

Description: To confer recognition on employers in the public and private sectors for outstanding achievements in enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Please consider the following criteria when writing your narrative as to why this Employer is deserving of this recognition:

Criteria:

  • Describe the nominee’s practices pertaining to employment for persons with disabilities
  • What has the nominee done to ensure that employees with disabilities have been fully integrated and supported in the company’s work force?
  • Has the nominee made a concerted effort on the local, state, and/or national level to encourage other employers to hire people with disabilities?

VA-APSE Award Nomination Form

To Complete the Nomination:

  1. Select the category in which you are submitting your nomination. Please note: nominees for all categories but the Supported Employee of the Year and the Employer Awards must be VA-APSE members
  2. Make sure to read the description of each award category and address the criteria listed with each category.
  3. Write a one-page narrative describing why nominee is deserving of the award following the attached criteria.
  4. Attach a letter of support for the nominee; letter of support should address the award criteria.
  5. Mail, fax or email completed nomination packet by September 9, 2011

Select Category:

Professional Award / Best Practices Award
Supported Employee Award / Employer Award(indicate size)
Small Employer (<25 Employees)
Large Employer (>25 Employees)
Nomination Submitted By: (type or legibly print)
Name of APSE member submitting this nomination / APSE Membership Number
Street Address / City / State / Zip
Telephone (required) / Email (required)

Nominee Information:

Reminder: All nominees except Supported Employee of the Year and Employers must have a current APSE membership.

Name of nominee / APSE Membership Number
Street Address / City / State / Zip
Telephone (required) / Email (required)

Mail or E-mail completed nomination to

Scott Fraley

VirginiaDepartment of Rehabilitative Services

8004 FranklinFarms Drive

Richmond, Virginia, 23229

.