FHSA Annual Awards

Program Overview   

The Florida Head Start Association (FHSA) recognizes the achievements and highlights the outstanding and vital work of the Head Start and Early Head Start employees, parents, alumni, volunteers, and community partners. 

As the state association for Head Start, one of our primary responsibilities is to recognize individual achievements and honor those making notable and significant contributions in our State. FHSA works collaboratively with the Region IV Head Start Associations (RIVHSA) awards processes and procedures. There are a total of 20 award and scholarship categories available. There are 15 RIVHSA categories, and the National Head Start Association (NHSA) has five national categories, which are recognized at the State and Regional levels.  Grantee recipients must submit nominations as specified by each category outlined in the RIVHSA Awards & Scholarship application booklet. Each Grantee recipient determines nominees from their agency and provides submissions to FHSA by the specified deadline date. All 2023 applications must reflect services contributed during the current program/school year as of June 2022.FHSA awards committee will select a nominee from each of the categories submitted to represent our State at the Regional and National levels.

Here's the process:

  • Nominate your candidate(s) by June 24, 2022using the RIVHSA application booklet. FHSA has made completing the application easier by creating an editable PDF document. All 2023 applications must reflect services contributed during the current program/school year as of June 2022.
  • Grantee recipients must send their nominations to FHSA by the June 24, 2022 deadline either via email ([email protected]) or postal mail to FHSA 111 N. Gadsden Street, Suite 200, Tallahassee, FL 32301 in order for us to meet the RIVHSA deadline date of July 15, 2022. 
  • FHSA Awards Committee will review each application for completeness. 
  • The FHSA Awards Committee will review and score each nomination based on the established scoring rubric. 
  • FHSA selects a winner and sends those to RIVHSA for consideration to be recognized by RIVHSA's designated deadline date of July 15, 2022. 
  • State winners are recognized during the FHSA Annual Awards Luncheon, which will be held on October 21. 2022 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach during its Fall Leadership Training and Awards Luncheon. 

Awards Criteria

  1. Nominees for all awards must be members in good standing.
  2. Nominees may not be nominated for more than one category per year.
  3. Nominations submitted without the required documentation will not be considered.
  4. All criteria for an award or scholarship must be met.
  5. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
  6. There are some Regional and National awards/scholarships tied to a cash award. These awards/scholarships will be given by the respective organizations. As a State recipient, we do not provide any cash-based awards. If selected by the State to advance to the Regional level for one of these awards/scholarships and you are selected as the recipient, you will be required to provide your social security number and other required information for redemption. FHSA will not ask for or collect any personal information during the nomination process.   

To view a complete listing of rules and processes, please download a copy of the RIVHSA Application Booklet. 

FHSA 2022-2023 Nominations are closed.
Check back in April 2023 for our next awards cycle.