Honoring one of the pioneers in the provision of community-based supports for children and their families, this award recognizes an individual who has made a lasting contribution to children's mental health on the national level, who reflects the values of the National Federation, who is well-known for their commitment and contributions to the field of children's mental health, and who demonstrates compassion for children, youth and families.
2024 - Tavo Sastre, Reach Family Services (Arizona)
2023 - Linda Henderson-Smith, Carelon Behavioral Health, (Georgia)
2022 - Olivia Del Giudice, Kaleidoscope4Kids (Illinois)
2021 - Lisa Pace (Georgia)
2018 - Ruth Fox (Pennsylvania)
2017 - Sybil Goldman
2016 - Jane Adams (Kansas)
This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding efforts at the local or state level on behalf of families whose children experience mental health and/or substance use challenges. The goal of this award is to recognize an exceptional individual who has made significant contributions to enhancing the lives of families in their own community.
2024 - Susan Nyamora, South Florida Wellness (Florida)
2023 - Meri Viano, Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) (Massachusetts)
2022 - Sherry Candelaria, Reach Family Services (Arizona)
2021 - Amy Blackwell (Tennessee)
2019 - Barbara Granger (Texas)
2018 - Diana Autin (New Jersey)
2017 - Kaytra MacDonald
2016 - Frank Rider (North Carolina)
New in 2021, the Family Peer Support Award is presented to honor an individual who is certified in the provision of family peer support at the state or national level and who has contributed significantly to the family peer support field. The ideal honoree has personal experience providing exemplary family peer support directly to families and has contributed to the expansion of the family support workforce by training other parents.
2024 - Patti Connie
2023 - Barb Greene, Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children (Kentucky)
2022 - Joanne Peterson, Learn to Cope (Massachusetts)
2021 - Heidi Rochon (Maryland)
The Jane Adams Peer Support Award, awarded until 2019, recognized a nationally certified parent support provider who demonstrates overall excellence in the provision of support to families who are parenting children and youth experiencing behavioral health challenges.
2019 - Emma G. Mullendore (Oklahoma)
2018 - Melva Pavelka (Nebraska)
2017 - Frederick Douglas (North Carolina)
2016 - Magdalena Ruiz (Nevada)
The Making a Difference Award, awarded until 2018, recognized a National Federation affiliate or partner that utilized the power of partnerships, collaboration and grass roots advocacy to enhance services, supports and awareness for children and youth who experience behavioral health challenges and their families.
2018 - Georgia Parent Support Network
2017 - Idaho Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
2016 - Ehkaya Youth Project