Who inspires you?
Nominate them for a 2020 Casey Excellence for Children Award today.
Our annual Casey Excellence for Children Awards for Family and Alumni recognize individuals who have dedicated themselves to building hope and improving outcomes for children and families in the child welfare system.
We are now accepting nominations for the 2020 Casey Excellence for Children Awards for families and foster care alumni. These annual awards recognize alumni, birth parents, foster and adoptive parents, and kinship caregivers who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts on behalf of those involved in child welfare.
Nominees will be evaluated on the work they have accomplished at the local, state or national level. Winners will have demonstrated substantial efforts to improve the lives of children and families in the child welfare system.
Previous nominees may be re-nominated, but previous winners are not eligible.
Nomination process:
Please nominate an alumnus, birth parent, foster or adoptive parent, or kinship caregiver who is dedicated to improving the lives of children, families and their communities.
Submit a nomination by clicking on the "Nominate Now" button in the upper right corner of this page.
Deadline for submissions:
Please submit your nominations by 5 p.m. PDT Thursday, July 25, 2019.
Important! Please note: The program will time out after 30 minutes of inactivity. If you think you may need more time to complete the nomination, we recommend you fill it out in a Word document first and then copy and paste the text into the nomination form.
Casey Family Programs will review nominations in August and notify the nominating parties and winners in late fall.
Casey Excellence for Children
Family and Alumni Awards FAQ
Who is eligible to nominate family and alumni?
All Casey Family Programs' staff and partner organizations (e.g. National Alliance of Children's Trust & Prevention Funds, Foster Care Alumni of America, FosterClub, Generations United, National Foster Parent Association) are eligible to submit nominations. Nominations also will be accepted from other organizations and individuals.
- Alumni: An alumnus or alumna of foster care (age 18 or older) who has helped other alumni advocate for themselves, or has helped them become advocates for other alumni or youth in care.
- Birth parents (mother, father): A birth mother or father who has been reunited with her or his child after the child was placed in foster care, and who has supported other birth families seeking reunification with their own children. (Couples also are eligible for this award.)
- Foster and adoptive parents: A licensed foster care provider or adoptive parent who has demonstrated extraordinary efforts on behalf of those involved in the foster care system and supports and serves as a resource for other foster and adoptive parents. (Couples also are eligible for this award.)
- Kinship caregivers: A licensed or non-licensed individual who has provided care for a relative's child and has advocated for other kinship caregivers and the children in their care.
Is a résumé or bio required for nomination?
Both are optional. However, these materials help reviewers develop a broader understanding of the nominees and their accomplishments. Résumés and bios can be uploaded on the application page.
What is the time frame of service for eligibility?
Eligibility requires active involvement over the preceding year with a consistent impact on the lives of children throughout the year.
Are retired foster parents or kinship caregivers eligible?
Yes. Eligibility is based on recent work in their community or on statewide or national levels in support of their constituent group and Communities of Hope.
Can nominators contact the person whom they wish to nominate?
Yes. Contacting potential nominees is encouraged, especially if a résumé, bio or additional information is needed for the nomination.
Are nominators able to nominate someone who has been nominated before?
Yes, as long as the nominee has not previously won the award.
What do the awardees receive for the honor?
Award recipients will be invited to Seattle to be recognized at a special awards reception and Casey Family Programs' 2020 Annual All-Staff Meeting. The award winner and a guest will receive paid travel and lodging for the awards event (including per diem). Winners will receive a $500 honorarium, a customized award, a copy of a video about their work and a framed photo from the event. They will also be featured in a press release.
When will winners be notified?
Winners will be notified in late fall.
Whom should I contact for more information?
If you have any questions, please email awards@casey.org.
