Please review the guidelines and criteria below and when you are ready to nominate, click the link at the bottom of the page, which will take you to the online nomination form!

General Guidelines

  • Nominations will be accepted through September 2, 2022.
  • There will be three awards presented at the 2022 NAEHCY Conference in November:
    • McKinney-Vento State Coordinator of the Year Award
    • Homeless Liaison of the Year Award
    • Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Nominations will be accepted by NAEHCY members and/or 2022 NAEHCY Conference attendees.
  • You may submit one nomination in any or all categories. A separate online form must be completed for each category.
  • Only one nomination per category will be accepted except for Homeless Liaison of the Year nominations (State Coordinators may make multiple nominations in this category.).
  • Nominations should emphasize the educational element of serving homeless children and youth.
  • Nominees need not meet all criteria listed in the criteria section of each category. The criteria should serve as a representative guideline.
  • Award winners will be notified by the NAEHCY Award Chair prior to the Annual NAEHCY Conference.
  • All award nominations are now submitted electronically.
  • Each nomination must include the following:
    • A minimum of three, and a maximum of five, letters of support
    • A narrative outlining each of the following:
      • Information regarding the relationship between the nominee and the person nominating them.
      • A detailed description of how the nominee has met or exceeded the criteria indicated for that nomination.
      • An explanation of why the nominee is deserving of or qualified to receive this award.
      • Information related to the outcomes of the nominees’ efforts
    • A headshot of the nominee, as all award winners will be presented in our conference program and app.
    • Not required, but any other supporting documentation that you feel is important for your nomination – videos, presentations, documents, etc., may also be submitted.

McKinney-Vento State Coordinator of the Year Award

Eligibility Requirements

  • The nominee must be a McKinney-Vento State Coordinator who is responsible for the administration of the Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program for their state.
  • The nominee must have a minimum of three years’ experience working as a State Coordinator.

Nomination Criteria

Nominees must be State Coordinators who

  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the challenges faced by children, youth and families, including unaccompanied youth and preschool-aged children as it relates to homelessness.
  • Have a thorough awareness and knowledge of state and school district policies and other state and local policies that impact children and youth experiencing homelessness.
  • Are recognized as a experts in the field and have the ability to meet the needs of children/youth experiencing homelessness, to support and encourage academic success and to implement cross program coordination and community collaboration.
  • Exemplify leadership and innovation in regard to the implementation and compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
  • Are well-known within their community. They have earned the admiration and respect of their colleagues and community members.

Homeless Liaison of the Year Award

Eligibility Requirements

  • The nominee must be a homeless liaison in a school system.
  • The nominee must have a minimum of three years’ experience working as a homeless liaison.
  • Nominations will be accepted by State Coordinators who are responsible for the administration of the Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program for their state.
  • State Coordinators may make multiple nominations.

Nomination Criteria

Nominees must be homeless liaisons who

  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the challenges faced by children, youth and families, including unaccompanied youth and preschool-aged children as it relates to homelessness.
  • Have a thorough awareness and knowledge of State and school district policies and other state and local policies that impact children and youth experiencing homelessness.
  • Are recognized as experts in the field and have the ability to meet the needs of children/youth experiencing homelessness, support and encourage academic success and implement cross program coordination and community collaboration.
  • Exemplify leadership and innovation in regard to the implementation and compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
  • Are well-known within their school system and community. He/she has earned the admiration and respect of their colleagues and community members.

The Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominees for the Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award should exemplify the spirit that Sandra embodied in her work with youth experiencing homelessness.

Background Information

Sandra Neese was a founding member of Nevada’s homeless youth education office in 1988. For the next 10 years, she gave of herself tirelessly so that all children in this region may have what most take for granted: safety, shelter, and a future. A child advocate at heart, she was a professor at the University of Nevada, Reno and established a mentor program for student athletes that thrives to this day. She was also a founding board member of Community Chest, Inc. in 1991, the location of Nevada’s homeless youth education office, and rural non-profit agency serving children and families in northern Nevada. She loved the outdoors, New York City, ballroom dancing, and traveling. In the fall of 1998, Sandra faced her greatest challenge: a cancer that would not relent. I have never seen a woman display more courage in the face of death. Giving of herself to the end, she personified what it means to leave the world a better place.

In memory of her magnanimous spirit, Community Chest, Inc. established the Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award to honor people like Sandra who have given so much of their lives so that young people without shelter may find the promise of tomorrow.

~ Shaun Griffin. Community Chest, Inc. – Published in “The Beam,” October 1999