Scholarships and Awards
2018-2019 Scholarships and Awards are available for nomination through October 15, 2018. Below are the 5 National Awards and their required criteria. All applications must be submitted online and meet all eligibility requirements to be considered. See below for more information regarding each award. If you have questions, please contact scholarship@nhsa.org.
Aubrey Puckett Memorial Award
Individual, Staff Award
National Staff Award in memory of Aubrey Puckett – this award celebrates a Head Start alum (parent or child) now working for a Head Start or Early Head Start program who demonstrates their passion for serving through advocacy, career growth, and being actively involved in their program, community, or the state/national level to benefit Head Start families.
Award specific criteria:
Nominee must have been enrolled in Head Start/Early Head Start program as a child or parent for more than one year.
Nominee must have been a Head Start/Early Head Start employee for at least 3 years.
Two letters of reference from two people who know the nominee in his/her current role.
The nominee must provide a personal statement to address the following, in its entirety:
Details about the nominee, their family, and connection to Head Start/Early Head Start
Provide the length of service in a Head Start program, including year started, and positions held.
Describe activities and efforts the nominee has made that demonstrate passion for serving through advocacy, career growth, and being involved in Head Start, the community, or the state/national level.
Edward Zigler Innovation Award
Program Award
Since Head Start's inception in 1965, Dr. Zigler has played a central role in the ongoing development of our program design. This award is to celebrate those local programs who have partnered to create high impact services to children and families.
Award specific criteria:
Nominee must be a Head Start/Early Head Start grantee, delegate or community partner that has demonstrated innovation in program design and/or service delivery.
Two letters of reference from two organizational leaders who know the impact of the innovation first hand.
The nominee must submit a supporting statement to address the following, in its entirety:
A description of the primary and partner agency involved in the delivery of services. Provide key demographic information and history in the local community.
A brief description of the specific innovation being nominated, the approach and names of all partners.
A brief description of the outcomes or impact of the effort on vulnerable children and families that are unique and/or go beyond Head Start's performance standards.
Ron Herndon Head Start Parent Scholarship
Individual, Parent Award
This scholarship honors Ron Herndon’s tireless efforts championing Head Start parents. The Ron Herndon scholarship celebrates Head Start parents who, through their own efforts to mobilize other parents and community members, have affected real change in their Head Start programs and/or communities.
Award specific criteria:
Nominee must have a child enrolled in a Head Start/Early Head Start program
Nominee must be a High School graduate, be pursuing a post-secondary education and submit proof of acceptance or enrollment in an institution of higher learning.
Two letters of reference from two people who know the nominee as a student, and as a parent in the Head Start/Early Head Start program
The nominee must provide a personal statement to address the following, in its entirety (no more than 500 words):
Details about the nominee, their family, and connection to Head Start/Early Head Start
Activities and mobilizing efforts contributed by the nominee that affected change in their local Head Start program or community. Describe what “real change” was affected by their contribution.
Personal educational and professional goals
Sargent Shriver Excellence in Community Service Award
Program Award
This award celebrates an individual's or organization's significant achievement through innovative community service to Head Start and Early Head Start. The nominee for this award should have excelled in addressing issues of poverty, early education, or community health.
Award specific criteria:
Nominee must be an individual or organization that made an innovative contribution of time and effort that has had a positive impact upon children, families, and/or communities.
Two letters of reference from two organizational leaders who know the impact of the service to the community.
The nominee must submit a supporting statement to address the following, in its entirety (no more than 500 words):
A statement describing key demographic information and history of the local community
A brief description of the specific contribution(s) being nominated, the approach and name(s) of key leaders of the effort.
Please provide a brief description of the outcomes or impact of the effort on vulnerable children and families that are unique and/or go beyond Head Start's performance standards.
Vanessa Rich Leadership Award (NEW!)
Individual, Staff Award
This award celebrates the memory of Vanessa Rich and is intended for a new Head Start/Early Head Start Director (3 years or less) who is carrying on Vanessa’s legacy of “Head Start doesn’t stop on the front porch, it comes all the way into the house”. This individual will be awarded a complimentary registration for and travel stipend to one of the NHSA Leadership Institutes where they will speak at the Head Start Spirit Rally or Congressional Breakfast to share how they are carrying on Vanessa’s legacy in the Head Start community.
Award specific criteria:
Nominee must be a new Director with 3 years or less of experience
Two letters of reference from two people who know the nominee in his/her current role.
The nominee must provide a personal statement to address the following, in its entirety:
Details about the nominee, their family, and connection to Head Start/Early Head Start
Details about how they intend to “build the next brick” for Head Start
Describe activities and efforts the nominee has made that demonstrate passion for serving through advocacy, career growth, and being involved in Head Start, the community, or at the state/national level.