Each year, the NASP Government and Professional Relations (GPR) presents the Special Friend of Children Award, Outstanding Advocate, and Certificate of Appreciation, to honor individuals or groups who have engaged in advocacy efforts aligned with NASP's vision, mission, and advocacy priorities.  Eligibility criteria and submission information for each award is described below. Nominations may be submitted by members of the NASP Board of Directors, NASP State Delegates, NASP Committee Chairs, and State Presidents.

Special Friend of Children

The NASP GPR "Special Friend of Children" Award is given to individuals or groups outside the profession who have nationally supported political action and advocacy on behalf of children to improve education and mental health services for children, youth and their families. These awardees have worked to make systemic changes in policies that govern the provision of education and mental health services at the state and national level. In addition, these individuals or groups have worked to support the NASP mission and its goals. Individual nominees or groups have so distinguished themselves by this service that clear evidence of improvement of education and services for children can be readily documented. Only one nomination per state will be eligible.

Eligibility:

• Must have contributed in meaningful ways to advocating for education, children and youth at the State and/or National level
• Must support the NASP mission and goals by their efforts  

Submission Requirements

• "Special Friend" nomination form
• Three (3) letters of recommendation.
• A one-page description that includes justification of their nomination and documentation of advocacy efforts with clean link to policy-related activity

Outstanding Advocate

The NASP GPR "Outstanding Advocate" Award is given to individuals or groups who have worked to make systemic changes in policies that govern the provision of education and mental health services at the state or local level. In addition, these individuals or groups have worked to support the NASP mission and its goals. Individual nominees or groups have so distinguished themselves by this service that clear evidence of improvement of education and services for children can be readily documented.  Nominees can include individuals or groups outside the profession, as well as those affiliated with school psychology. Only one nomination per state will be eligible.

Eligibility:

• Must have contributed in meaningful ways to advocating for education, children and youth at the state or local level.
• Must support the NASP mission and goals by their efforts

Submission Requirements:

• Outstanding Advocate nomination form
• Three (3) letters or recommendation
• A one-page description that includes Justification of their nomination and description of advocacy efforts/evidence of improvement in services for children

Certificate of Appreciation

The NASP GPR "Certificate of Appreciation" is given to individual NASP members who have clearly shown their advocacy efforts to improve education and mental health services for children, youth, and their families. These individuals have worked to support the NASP mission and its goals through local, state, or national government and professional activities. These individual nominees may also have worked in establishing collaborative partnerships with other groups who work on behalf of children. Nominators must give clear documentation of the above efforts. One NASP member per state will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Appreciation.

Eligibility:

• Must have contributed in meaningful ways to advocating for education, children, and youth.
• Must be a current NASP member

Submission Requirements:

• Certificate of Appreciation nomination form
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• A one-page description that includes justification for nomination and documentation of advocacy efforts

Incomplete packets will not be considered. Feel free to add any supporting documentation in addition to the submission requirements. Award recipients will be announced and highlighted during the NASP Annual Convention and in the NASP Communiqué.