NEWS AND EVENTS

Agency of Distinction Honors a public or private community organization that provides exemplary supports and demonstrates a commitment to community inclusion for people with disabilities.
Community Service Honors an individual or group who has demonstrated commitment to the mission and positions of The Arc by volunteering time locally or on a statewide basis to enhance opportunities for people with disabilities or working on special projects or events.
Exemplary Educator Honors a Tennessee educator or leader in education who has demonstrated excellence in providing for the education of students with developmental and other disabilities. Nominees for this award may include teachers, principals, administrators, school board members, college faculty or researchers.
Inclusive Employer Honors a Tennessee employer with an exceptional record of providing inclusive community employment opportunities and accommodations for people with disabilities.
Public Awareness Honors outstanding efforts by state and local media entities or individuals that create better public understanding of people with disabilities. The award recognizes a variety of broadcast, print, and internet mass media, including – television, radio, newspapers, magazines, books, podcasts, and blogs.
Work Initiative Honors a person(s) with disabilities who shows the initiative to start and/or operate his/her/their own business or an employee with a disability who has had a positive impact on their work environment.
Self-determination Honors an outstanding self-advocate who is a role model for others.
Promising Young Leader Honors an individual (under age 22) or a group whose members are age 22 or younger, who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential as seen in volunteer efforts on special projects or events that enhance opportunities for people with disabilities in their community.
The Ruth Roberts Memorial Honors a sibling (brother or sister) of a person with a disability who, through their community involvement and advocacy efforts, creates an environment that fosters inclusion for all.
Direct Support Professional (DSP) Above and Beyond Honors a DSP with $500 whose first allegiance is to the person he/she supports and who demonstrates the DSP Code of Ethics.

The MCOs generally recognize each award recipient with a trophy and monetary award. In the past, Regional Award winners receive $500, with one outstanding winner receiving the Statewide Rising Star Award and an additional check for $1,000. One recipient of the Regional Awards will be selected for the overall Statewide Rising Star DSP Recognition Award. To be eligible for this award, the DSP must support a person who receives services through the Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES program.
The categories are as follows.
Regional Awards (one of each award type per region): Community Connector – a DSP who embraces the philosophy of Employment and Community First CHOICES and supports a member(s) for whom it was not expected that community integration or independent living was possible. Supporting someone in CLS (Community Living Supports) is not required for this award, but at a minimum must be supporting someone who is learning skills necessary for independent living. This DSP will have encouraged the member(s) they support to try new things in their community, meet new people and begin participating (in meaningful ways) in activities without paid staff present.
Employment Champion – a Job Coach/Developer and/or DSP who has supported a member/family through barriers and fears of employment and community integration. This DSP will have worked against pre-conceived notions that the member(s) was not capable of work, and helped the member(s) to develop soft skills and understand what kind of job(s) the member could be successful. This professional would have been patient yet relentless in supporting the member to have meaningful choice and control over their options.
Statewide Award (one winner): Rising Star – Statewide DSP Award of Excellence – a DSP who sees no barriers, only potential and opportunities. This DSP never gives up on the possibilities, the member or their family. The DSP who wins this award must possess the skills necessary to help members achieve the goals the member identified for him/herself and have demonstrated this by virtue of the success of the member(s) supported by this DSP. The winner of this award will be chosen by the selection committee based on nominations received in the Community Connection and Employment Champion categories.