KDEC Award Nominations


The KDEC Awards Committee accepts nominations from the field for five special awards to recognize individuals who have made important contributions to the field of early childhood special education/early intervention. The five categories of awards include: Outstanding Student, Direct Service Provider, Distinguished Service Provider, Award of Excellence and Outstanding Contributor.

Nominations are collected in the fall/winter of each year before the conference. To nominate an individual or program, or to have questions answered, please contact deckansas@gmail.com

There are many talented individuals in Kansas and the early childhood field that make a difference. Please take a few minutes of your time to nominate a colleague or deserving individual for one of these awards. Awards will be presented at the annual KDEC conference. Nominating an individual simply involves filling out a nomination form.

KDEC Awards Nomination Form


All nominations must be in writing and must include the nominee’s vita/resume, a cover letter describing the individual’s worthiness for receiving the award, and a minimum of three letters of recommendation (outside of the nominator).

Category individual is being nominated for:

____ Outstanding Student
____ Direct Service Provider
____ Distinguished Service Provider
____ Award of Excellence
____ Outstanding Contributor

Name of Nominee:______________________________________________________

KDEC ID Number:______________________________________________________

Home Address:________________________________________________________

Home Phone:_________________________________________________________

Name and Address of Nominee’s school or agency (if employed):______________________________________________________________

Nominee’s Current Position:______________________________________________

Number of years of experience: Current position_____________ Total years_______

Nominator completing this form:

Name:_______________________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________ Fax:________________________________

Email:_______________________________________________________________

Award Criteria

Outstanding Student CEC/DEC Member

The “Outstanding Student CEC/DEC Member” Award is presented to current full-time student member of CEC/DEC who has contributed a great deal of time, energy and support to their Student CEC Chapter, and to exceptional children and their families.

Criteria to consider when nominating an individual:

  1. Number of years involved in Student CEC.
  2. Number of years involved in Division for Early Childhood.
  3. Experience as an officer or committee chair.
  4. Shows initiative in developing programs and events.
  5. Maintains involvement in Student CEC/DEC activities.
  6. Serves as a positive role model.
  7. Exhibits professionalism.
  8. Encourages membership in CEC/DEC.
  9. Attends meetings, conferences and workshops.
  10. Works with exceptional individuals and their families outside CEC activities, i.e., volunteer activities, summer activities.
  11. Exhibits a sincere commitment to exceptional children, their families, and the field of special education.

Direct Service Provider Award

The “Direct Service Provider” Award is presented to a current CEC/DEC member who has made contributions to exceptional children and their families. The candidate for this award has less than 10 years of experience and provides direct service or related services to young exceptional children and their families. The award honors those who are beginning their career and have made exemplary contributions in their local area.

Criteria to consider when nominating an individual:

  1. Number of years involved in CEC.
  2. Number of years involved in DEC.
  3. Maintains involvement in CEC/DEC/KDEC activities.
  4. Serves as a positive role model.
  5. Exhibits professionalism.
  6. Encourages membership in CEC/DEC.
  7. Works with exceptional children and their families outside of CEC/DEC activities.
  8. Works with local community to promote the awareness level of special programs for young children and their families.
  9. Exhibits a sincere commitment to exceptional children, their families, the field of special education, and their community.

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Distinguished Service Provider

The “Distinguished Service Provider” Award is presented to a CEC/DEC member who has made exemplary contributions to KDEC. The candidate must have demonstrated exemplary performance over a period of time as a provider of direct services to children and their families. The nominee should have demonstrated such exemplary qualities as innovativeness, imagination, creativity, and the ability to inspire. Such achievements should be clearly recognized by members of the profession and others knowledgeable of the candidate. The individual must be a CEC/DEC member in good standing both currently and for at least the previous 5 years.

Criteria to consider when nominating an individual:

  1. Membership in CEC/DEC.
  2. Maintains involvement in CEC/DEC/KDEC activities.
  3. Serves as a positive role model.
  4. Exhibits professional leadership.
  5. Encourages membership in CEC/DEC.
  6. Experience serving KDEC in a leadership role.
  7. Ten years or more experience as a service provider.

Awards of Excellence

The “Award of Excellence” honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the development of young children with disabilities and their families. Contributions may be in one or more of the following areas: publications, research, development of new concepts, approaches or programs, new techniques for diagnosis or rehabilitation, improved psychological or education evaluation procedures, improved administrative procedures, practical application of improved teaching devices, and dynamic leadership.

Criteria to consider when nominating an individual:

  1. Ten years experience in Intervention/Special Education in Kansas.
  2. Kansas residence at the time of selection and current CEC/DEC membership.
  3. Statewide visibility.
  4. Influence in the field of Early Intervention/Special Education in the state.
  5. Dedication to CEC/DEC.

Outstanding Contributor Award

The “Outstanding Contributor” Award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to Early Intervention/Special Education in Kansas. All CEC/DEC members are eligible for this award, as well as non-members.

Individuals who might be considered for this award are parents, legislators, physicians, educators, or others who have made a significant contribution in any area dealing with the exceptional young children and their families.

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KANSAS DIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD