2025 NAEHCY Award Nominations

General Guidelines

• McKinney-Vento State Coordinator of the Year
• McKinney-Vento Liaison of the Year
• Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award

• 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 nominee’s efforts.
• A high resolution headshot of the nominee. (.jpg .tif or .png only)
• Optional: any additional supporting documentation you feel is important for your nomination – videos, presentations, documents, etc.

2025 McKinney-Vento State Coordinator of The Year

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 of experience working as a state coordinator.

Nomination Criteria

• 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, to support and encourage academic success and to implement cross-program coordination and community collaboration.
• Exemplify leadership and innovation in regard to 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.

2025 McKinney-Vento Liaison of The Year

Eligibility Requirements

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

Nomination Criteria

• 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 collaboratio
• Exemplify leadership and innovation in regard to implementation and compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
• Are well-known within their school system and community. They have earned the admiration and respect of their colleagues and community members.

The Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award

Eligibility Requirements

• The nominee may be a state coordinator, district liaison, or other leader/influencer working in the area of educational support for homeless children and youth.
• The nominee must have a minimum of ten years of experience working in the area of educational support for homeless children and youth.

Nomination Criteria

• Exemplify the spirit that Sandra embodied in her work with youth experiencing homelessness. (See background information below.)
• Exhibit a dedication to child and youth advocacy that goes above and beyond qualifications, skills, and years of service and speaks to their character and calling.
• 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.

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)