Awards & Scholarships

INARF 2021 PRE-CONFERENCE

INARF 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Where industry professionals connect with experts, peers, resources and information to
enhance quality services for individuals with disabilities.

INARF 2021 Annual Awards

INARF is proud to host an Annual Awards Recognition Program that provides our members the opportunity to publicly recognize their staff, individuals served, and community partners who embrace individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Additionally, individuals who have been nominated by others or themselves as qualified Costa N. Miller Scholarship Award recipients have the opportunity to be recognized and be rewarded for their commitment to professional development and higher education that benefits the individuals they serve and the human service industry. Last year was a year of unprecedented circumstances and it may be an opportune time to recognize those who persevered and successfully navigated change, rose above adversity, and triumphed!

Our tradition continues by presenting five Annual Awards and two Scholarship Awards on Wednesday, October 6 during the INARF Annual Awards Luncheon. The Annual Awards Recognition Program will feature moving stories captured in video of each recipient's achievements and how their vision of supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities has raised the bar of service delivery in Indiana. This distinguished event is available to all INARF 2021 Annual Conference attendees.

Nominations have closed. View past award recipients.

Award Opportunities

Justin Dart Personal Achievement Award
The Justin Dart Personal Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has participated in services through an INARF member organization and who has maximized their skills and abilities to achieve their chosen goals. Achievements may include volunteerism, advocacy on behalf of disability issues, and/or upward mobility and dedication to reaching their personal goals. Candidates for this award must:

Have utilized habilitation and/or rehabilitation services to enhance their independence and quality of life
Have been involved in services for over two years
Have a diagnosed intellectual/developmental disability

Keystone Award
The Keystone Award is presented to the most outstanding Direct Support Professional employed by an INARF member organization. Qualified candidates manifest, through personal attributes and dedication, the mission of the human service/habilitation industry. Candidates qualifying for this award must currently be employed as Direct Support Professionals, have three (3) years minimum employment as Direct Support Professionals and actively participate in on-going professional development. These individuals are:

The first to employ innovative techniques, enriching the quality of services and thus the quality of life for those they serve
The first to uphold the rights of individuals with disabilities
The first to accept change and insist that such changes have meaning and purpose
The first in the hearts of those they serve

Pinnacle Award
The Pinnacle Award is presented to an outstanding professional level staff member employed by an INARF member organization. The nominees represent outstanding individual dedication to advocacy, innovation, education and inspiration, and are recognized for their leadership among others within their organization. These individuals are:

Committed to the Mission and Vision of their organization
Excel at motivating others to make a difference
Seek opportunities to be creative in approaches to supporting individuals with intellectual and development disabilities

James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award
The James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award is presented to an outstanding executive/administrator within the INARF membership. The nominees present outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, political acumen, ethical demeanor and professional posture to further the interests of their organization and those of their colleagues across the state. These distinguished individuals:

Diligently stay the course of service delivery
Develop quality programming using the latest industry innovations and creative use of resources
Believe in the worth of all individuals of varying abilities, which is manifested through the operations/programming and dedication to the cause.

Partnership Award
The Partnership Award is presented to a community partner (i.e. individual, business, club, educational institution or corporation) making significant contributions to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and the organizations serving them. Partners may also display dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities through innovative approaches to service delivery and by helping form positive public images of people with disabilities. These contributions may include:

Donations and fundraising efforts
Volunteerism
Public education and public relations
Employment opportunities for people with disabilities

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Submitting Award Winning Nominations

The Committees selecting the recipients for the 2021 INARF Annual Awards and Costa N. Miller Scholarship Awards are looking for intriguing essays that separate your nomination from the crowd. With an average of 10-12 nominations per category your nominee is likely to be one of a number of applicants with similar goals, activities, and aspirations.

Submitting an award winning essay is your best chance to make the case for why your nominee should receive the award/scholarship; it helps the Committees learn about the individual behind the Nomination, and gives them greater insight at the Nominee’s contributions. Make sure every point you make is illustrated with a specific detail that shows you care about the subject. Share specifics about how the Nominee went above and beyond to exceed expectations. Putting their unique stories and perspectives on the page will go a very long way toward creating a memorable essay.

View a sample of a winning nomination for Christine Jameson, who won the Keystone Award in 2019. *This is a sample only and all submissions should be original.