The association is proud to provide a variety of opportunities to recognize and thank the individuals who strengthen the Head Start and/or Early Head Start community. The Illinois Head Start Association annual awards process is central to this effort.
This year, any individual interested in nominating or self-nominating is to submit the following items listed below. This information will be reviewed by the Annual Awards Committee as part of the candidate’s application packet. Following the review of applications, if selected, applicants will receive an email requesting letter(s) of support. Applicant must submit the following to be considered for the award:
Submit the following:
Submit the following:
Upon successful submission of your Award or Scholarship Application, a committee will review each application and narrow the number of selected applications.
When a select number of applications are decided, the selected applicants will be notified to submit further documentation. Chosen applicants will be asked to submit letters of support 3 weeks before IHSA Annual Award Luncheon.
After careful deliberation of additional documentation, the Award and Scholarship committee will select the appropriate winners of the scholarships and awards from the cumulative score garnered from the applications and letters of support. Winners will be recognized at the Annual IHSA Awards Luncheon. Attendance is highly encouraged, however, Scholarship and Award recipients are not required to be present to receive an award.
Applications can be filled out ONLINE or emailed with all required materials to Cathy Welsh at cwelsh@ilheadstart.org by close of business (5:00pm) on Friday, February 24, 2023. Each submission should come in ONE email with all required materials as attachments. Please feel free to contact the IHSA Office (217-241-3511) with any questions. We look forward to receiving many quality applications.
RUBRIC OR SCORING FORMS - AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING WITHIN EACH RESPECTIVE AWARD. THIS DOCUMENTS WILL GIVE MEMBERS INSIGHT ON HOW THEY WILL BE EVALUATED
HEAD START DIRECTOR AGREEMENT LETTER - (REQUIRED)
This award acknowledges the important contributions of forward-thinking administrators to the long-term success of Head Start/Early Head Start programs and, ultimately, the children and families they serve. The successful candidate will be a current employee of a Head Start/Early Head Start program in Illinois serving in a role that oversees the leadership of an organization as the executive, director or assistant director levels. The successful candidate will have been in this role for 5+ years
The Administrator of the Year winner will receive:
Nominating Someone Else: On a separate sheet of paper, please describe in one page why you believe this person is the best candidate for this award.
Nominating Self: On a separate sheet of paper, please describe in one page why you believe you are the best candidate for this award.
Ideas that you might want to include in writing the cover letter or letter of support that would help the awards committee decide the best candidate for this award:
Scoring Form (.pdf)
Award Sponsored by:
This award recognizes all individuals that are involved in the education components of a Head Start/ Early Head Start program including classroom lead and associate teachers, home visiting staff and instructional mentors. The successful candidate will be a current employee of a Head Start / Early Head Start program in Illinois serving as a classroom lead teacher, associate teacher, home visitor or instructional mentor. The successful candidate will have been in this role for 5+ years.
The Teacher of the Year winner will receive:
Nominating Someone Else: On a separate sheet of paper, please describe in one page why you believe this person is the best candidate for this award.
Nominating Self: On a separate sheet of paper, please describe in one page why you believe you are the best candidate for this award.
Ideas that you might want to include in writing the cover letter or letter of support that would help the awards committee decide the best candidate for this award:
Award Sponsored by:
This award acknowledges the important contributions of staff who work in administration, management, family services, facilities, food service, transportation, health, disabilities and social services. The successful candidate will be a current employee of a Head Start/Early Head Start program in Illinois serving in one of the areas of: management, family services, facilities, food service, transportation, health, disabilities and social services. The successful candidate will have been in this role for 5+ years.
The Support of the Year winner will receive:
Nominating Someone Else: On a separate sheet of paper, please describe in one page why you believe this person is the best candidate for this award.
Nominating Self: On a separate sheet of paper, please describe in one page why you believe you are the best candidate for this award.
Ideas that you might want to include in writing the cover letter or letter of support that would help the awards committee decide the best candidate for this award:
Scoring Form (.pdf)
Award Sponsored by:
This award celebrates our most important partner, parents. This award will honor a Head Start/Early Head Start parent who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. The parent should exemplify a role model for his/her children and to other parents and has made efforts to make a positive difference in the community. The successful candidate must have child(ren) enrolled in the current school/program year. The candidate should hold a position of leadership on a site council, parent or policy council, state, regional or national association.
The Parent of the Year winner will receive:
Nominating Someone Else: On a separate sheet of paper, please describe in one page why you believe this person is the best candidate for this award.
Nominating Self: On a separate sheet of paper, please describe in one page why you believe you are the best candidate for this award.
Ideas that you might want to include in writing the cover letter or letter of support that would help the awards committee decide the best candidate for this award:
Scoring Form (.pdf)
Award Sponsored by:
This award is to support college education (field of study in any area) for a Head Start parent, staff or former Head Start child. The $1000.00 will be paid directly to the educational institution of the winner’s choice. In addition, the winner will receive:
Scoring Form (.pdf)
This award is to support any parent, former Early Head Start/Head Start child, or staff member working towards completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Applicants must have ongoing college experience at an accredited Institution of higher education.
The Mary Alice Buchanan Memorial Scholarship winner will receive a:
