Where industry professionals connect with experts, peers, resources and information to enhance quality services for individuals with disabilities.
INARF 2023 Annual Awards
This year's Conference theme was ‘Together Toward Tomorrow’ and was designed to include recognition of the many partners that make the journey toward tomorrow possible. The INARF Annual Awards Recognition Program is the annual opportunity for INARF Members to publicly recognize their staff, individuals supported, and community partners who embrace individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Additionally, individuals whose primary responsibilities include direct contact with persons served have the opportunity to nominate themselves or be nominated by others for the Costa N. Miller Scholarship Award and have the opportunity to be recognized and rewarded for their commitment to professional development and higher education that benefits the individuals they support and the human service industry.
On Wednesday, October 4, our tradition continued with the presentation of five Annual Awards and two Scholarship Awards during the INARF Annual Awards Luncheon. The Annual Awards Recognition Program featured moving stories captured in video of each recipient's achievements and how their vision of supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities raised the bar of service delivery in Indiana. This distinguished event was available to all INARF 2023 Annual Conference attendees.
Submitting Award-Winning Nominations
The Committees selecting the recipients for the 2023 INARF Annual Awards and Costa N. Miller Scholarship Awards were looking for intriguing essays that separated each nomination from the crowd.
Below are the different Annual Awards that were offered at the Annual Conference with more information on each provided.
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 in the role of Direct Support Professional, have three (3) years minimum employment as a Direct Support Professional 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 support
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 support
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
