2018 IHCA Staff and Specialty Awards

2021 Staff & Speciality Award Nominations
Staff & Specialty Awards

The Annual IHCA Excellence Awards Program (formerly known as the Annual IHCA Awards) recognizes the outstanding work going on in long term care centers around Illinois every day. Recognizing your staff members and volunteers who have proven to be an invaluable resource to your center’s team is an excellent way to show your appreciation. The IHCA Staff & Specialty Awards gives members the chance to do that. Additionally, you can submit nominations for your center’s innovative programs, communications and community outreach projects. *Note: If you have nurses you would like to nominate for an award, please do so by nominating them for an LTCNA Nursing Award.

Program Details
- Each member center office that submits a nomination(s) must designate ONE contact for all of their nominations.
- Winners of the IHCA Staff & Specialty Awards will be announced during IHCA's Virtual Annual Convention & Expo Steptember 13 - 16, 2021, and an award will be sent to each winner at their facility by IHCA.
- All nominees will receive a certificate recognizing their achievement.
- Facilities are welcomed (and strongly encouraged) to submit multiple nominations.
- A list of nominees, as well as information about the chosen winners, will be featured in IHCA publications, on our website and our social media platforms.
- Press releases will also be sent to local media outlets announcing the 2021 winners.
Award Categories

The criteria for the following nominations are based on excellence and outstanding service in long term care.

Staff Awards
Administration:
Administrator
Assisted/Supportive Living Director

Employees:
Social Service Professional
Activity Professional
Housekeeping Professional
Food Service/Dietary Professional
Environmental Services Professional
Business Office Professional
Administrator's Choice Award (for nominees who do not fit into other categories)

Specialty Awards
Associate Member
Innovative Program
Community Partnership
Media Event
Communications
Photograph
Volunteer Award
Award Nomination Rules & Procedures
1. Designated Contact: Each member center must choose one person to serve as the designated contact. All follow-up correspondence, award information, nomination questions, etc. will be sent to the Designated Contact.
2. The Designated Contact must be included on each nomination.
3. The nominee must be an employee (volunteer for volunteer award) of an IHCA member center. Associate member nominees must be a current member of IHCA and provide goods/services to IHCA member centers.
4. Member centers are encouraged to submit multiple nominations.
5. You may submit multiple nominations for each category.
6. Each entry should include:
  a. A complete Nomination with answers to that category’s set of questions; and,
  b. Any required supporting materials.
7. You may submit your nominations online. If submitting hard copies, please make sure that all forms are printed legibly or typed.
8. Letters of recommendation for employee, volunteer and associate member nominations (optional for most categories, no more than two will be accepted) or supporting news clippings and/or documentation for specialty award nominations should be attached accordingly and will not be returned.
9. Please try to avoid using the Nominee’s name or the name of the facility as much as possible in the answers to the category questions and in the letter(s) of recommendation. It will make it easier to prepare the forms for the judges.
10. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges selected by IHCA. IHCA reserves the right not to present any award.
11. All nominees will receive a certificate of recognition.
Questions?

Please contact Jackie Webb at jwebb@ihca.com or by phone at 800-252-8988.

Submission Deadline

Nominations must be received no later than close of business on

Monday, May 10th, 2021 to be considered.

Designated Contact

The Designated Contact must be listed on all nomination forms being submitted from the same facility.

-If you need to return to the previous page, please use the "Back" button at the bottom of the form. If you use the browser's back button you will lose previously entered data.

-Fields marked with an * are required to continue to the next page.
Designated Contact: *
Title: *
Email Address (For Confirmation): *
IHCA Member Facility/Program: *
Phone Number: *

Area Code Phone Number
Fax:

Area Code Phone Number
Address *

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code Country

Local Media Information
Please list two (2) media outlets (newspaper, radio, television) you would like to have notified if your nominee is a winner:
Media Name:
Email:
Fax:

Area Code Phone Number
Media Name:
Email:
Fax:

Area Code Phone Number

Nominee Information...

Tell us more about your outstanding staff member, volunteer or facility program!

**Please Note - Two letters of recommendation are required for the Administration Awards. You have the option of submitting letters with the other staff and volunteer award nominations, but it is not required. No more than two (2) letters will be accepted.

If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact Jackie Webb (jwebb@ihca.com) at the IHCA office.
Nominee's Name: *
IHCA Member Facility/Program: *
Phone Number: *

Area Code Phone Number
Fax:

Area Code Phone Number
Address *

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code Country
A category must be chosen to move forward. Responses to the category’s questions must be submitted for the nomination to be considered. There is no limit to the number of nominees accepted from each facility.

Administration Awards
Take a few minutes to nominate your Administrator or Assisted Living Director and show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the facility, their staff and residents.

In addition to the answers to the questions listed below, two letters from department heads or staff members outlining why the nominee is qualified for this award are required for the nomination to be considered. Letters can be attached below. No more than two letters will be accepted.
1. How long has the nominee worked in the long term care profession? *
2. How long has the nominee worked at this facility? *
3. How many beds does the nominee's facility have? *
4. What has the nominee done to enhance the relationship between the facility and the community? *
5. Please give specific examples of programs the nominee has implemented to enhance resident care and administration at the facility. *
6. How does the nominee promote teamwork in the facility? (specific examples) *
7. Please describe any specific challenges this individual has overcome or accomplishments they have reached that have benefited the residents and/or staff at the facility. *
8. How does the nominee interact with residents and their families? *
9. List the nominee’s community activities, including local, state and national organizations. *
10. Describe the extent of the nominee’s involvement in IHCA. *
Upload Letter of Recommendation: *
Upload Letter of Recommendation: *

Employee Awards
**Please note: the Administrator’s Choice Category is for those individuals
who do not fit with any other categories.

**If you have nursing staff you would like to nominate for an award, please nominate them for one of the LTCNA Nursing Awards.

Please answer the questions listed below. You may also submit a letter of recommendation from the facility administrator and/or department head if you choose. No more than two letters of recommendation will be accepted.
1. How long has the nominee worked in the long term care profession? *
2. How long has the nominee worked at this facility? *
3. What is the nominee’s position at the facility? *
4. How long has the nominee worked in his/her current position? *
5. What is unique about this nominee’s job performance that makes him/her deserving of recognition? *
6. Please give a description of the nominee’s contributions to improving the quality of care and resident quality of life in his/her facility (specific examples). *
7. Please describe the way this employee interacts with and provides support for his/her department. *
8. Please list any additional training his employee has received to improve or further his/her job skills. *
9. Please list any organization in which this employee is involved. *
Upload Letter of Recommendation:
Upload Letter of Recommendation:

Volunteer Award
Volunteer of the Year nominees can be individuals or groups who have volunteered their time and attention for the benefit of your residents.

Please answer the questions listed below. You may also submit a letter of recommendation explaining why the volunteer deserves the award if you choose. No more than two letters of recommendation will be accepted.
1. How long has the nominee volunteered in long term care? *
2. How long has the nominee volunteered at this facility? *
3. What is unique about this nominee’s performance that makes him/her deserving of recognition? *
4. Please give a description of the nominee’s contributions to improving the quality of care and resident quality of life in his/her facility (specific examples). *
5. Please describe the way this volunteer interacts with and provides support for facility staff. *
6. Please list any additional training this volunteer has received to improve or further his/her skills. *
7. Please list any organization in which this volunteer is involved. *
Upload Letter of Recommendation:
Upload Letter of Recommendation:

Associate Member Award
Nominees for IHCA Associate Member of the year must be an IHCA Associate Member in good standing and provide goods/services to the nominating facility/corporation.

Please answer the questions listed below. You may also submit a letter of recommendation explaining why the individual/company deserves the award if you choose. No more than two letters of recommendation will be accepted.
1. How long has the nominee provided goods/services to your facility? *
2. How long have you known the nominee? *
3. Has the nominee been willing/able to work with the facility in financially difficult times? *
4. What has the nominee done to enhance the public perception of long term care in Illinois?. *
5. Please give specific examples of how the nominee’s expertise/caring attitude has helped improve resident care at the facility. *
6. How has the nominee assisted the facility in promoting community relations? *
7. How has the nominee supported IHCA in promoting long term care in Illinois? *
8. Describe the extent of the nominee’s involvement in the IHCA. *
Upload Letter of Recommendation:
Upload Letter of Recommendation:

Community Partnership Award
This award has been established to recognize the efforts of long term care facilities/programs who are involved in significant service to the community. This award has been named the Community Partnership Award as the winners must exemplify the essence of what it means to live and work in a community as we serve long term care residents in Illinois.

In addition to the answers to the questions listed below, each Community Partnership nomination must also include an essay (500 words maximum) that describes the impact this program has had in the facility/program and in the community. Please attach the essay in the appropriate space below. Other supporting materials may also be included.
Brief Project Description: *
Community Partner: *
Contact Name & Title: *
Email Address: *
Phone Number: *

Area Code Phone Number
Fax:

Area Code Phone Number
Address *

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code Country
Essay: *
Supporting Materials:
Supporting Materials:

Innovative Program Award
This award recognizes a unique program at a member facility/program that sets a leadership example for others–-programs that are not typical of every long term care facility/program–-programs that are creative, inventive, original and unprecedented.

Innovative programs in any facility/program department or discipline will be eligible for this award. All nominated programs must have been active at least one year prior to January 1, 2021. In judging, attention will be given to whether the program has received special recognition by the profession or the community. The level of demonstrated success and unique commitment by the facility/program will also be considered.

Each completed nomination must include the following items in order to be considered:

1. Answers to the following general questions in the space provided; and

2. One essay (500 words maximum) that describes the impact this program has had in the facility/program and the community. You may attach the essay in the space provided below.

Rules of Entry:

1. Nominations must be submitted by the Administrator, Resident Services Director or Assisted Living Director.

2.Entries should include any newspaper clippings or supporting documentation of the program’s effectiveness (attach below).

3. The facility/program submitting the nomination must be an IHCA member facility/ program at time of application and at time the award is presented.
Name of the program being nominated: *
Name and title of the person who has primary responsibility for conducting this program at your facility/program: *
Brief description of the program: *
Who is the audience for this program (i.e. general public, families of Alzheimer’s disease, residents, community members, etc.)? *
When did the program begin? *
How do you publicize this program? *
How has the program received recognition in the community? (Please attach any appropriate press clippings, letters of praise from participants, or other information/materials; please do not include more than two (2) pieces of supporting documentation) *
What were your goal(s) for this program? *
Have you achieved your goal(s)? How can you demonstrate your success? *
What are your future plans for this program? (proposed expansion, changes, etc.) *
Why do you feel this program is unique and sets an example for other Illinois long term care facilities/ programs? *
Other comments:
Essay: *
Upload Photo or Documentation:
Upload Photo or Documentation:
Upload Photo or Documentation:

Media Event Award
Many of our facilities and programs excel in community outreach programs that result in media coverage or positive publicity. The purpose of this award is to recognize the entity that best demonstrates the ability to promote the work being done for the residents of the entity.

Each completed nomination must include the following items in order to be considered:

1. Answers to the following general questions in the space provided; and

2. Evidence (newspaper article, radio spots, news clips, etc.) that meets one of the following criteria:
- Creativity of coverage – turning a single non-event into a story
- Difficulty of coverage – turning a single potentially negative event into a positive
- Education – coverage of a single event staged solely for community education
- Consistency – a media campaign on a single subject
Note: Media coverage/publicity must have occurred between October 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021 to be eligible for the 2021 award.
1. Name of Project/Program: *
2. Project Contact & Title: *
3. Brief Project Description: *
4. What were your goals for this project? *
5. How did you measure the success of this project? *
6. What did you learn from this project that can be applied to other media activities for your facility/program? *
Evidence: *
Evidence:
Evidence:

Communications Award
Demonstrate your facility’s ability to educate residents, families, and the general public by submitting your publications or other communications pieces.

These communications can include, but are not limited to, facility brochures, newsletters, calendars and event fliers, promotional videos and more. The primary focus of the judges will be content and its effectiveness in educating readers about the facility/program and long term care. Criteria includes content, writing style, originality and design.

Each completed nomination must include the following items in order to be considered:

1. Answers to the following general questions in the space provided; and

2. A sample of the publication being submitted (attach below).
1. Briefly describe the facility: *
2. Is/was the piece created, designed and produced in-house or by a professional outside of the facility? *
3. Who is responsible for coordinating the communication? *
4. How often is the piece produced? *
5. What is the mission statement of the publication/communications piece? *
6. Describe the types of information usually included in the communication. *
7. Who receives the piece? *
Sample: *
Sample 2:

Photograph Award
A picture is worth a thousand words…and many are worthy of an award!
Tell your story by submitting a photograph for this year’s award.

Each completed nomination must include the following items in order to be considered:
1. Answers to the following general questions in the space provided.
2. A copy of the photo being submitted; and
3. An IHCA signed release form for each resident in the photo (click here ).
The photograph may be taken by anyone associated with the facility, such as an employee, family member, volunteer, visitor, resident; or it can be taken by anyone outside the facility, such as a newspaper or professional photographer. A maximum of five (5) photographs will be accepted from each facility.

Please read the following rules carefully as only entries that have met all criteria will be considered.
1. All entries must be 8"x10" or smaller. (Montages/collages and negatives will not be accepted.)
2. Photo attachments should be no larger than 4 MB .
3. Photographs may be used for IHCA promotional materials and will not be returned.
4. Photographs must have been taken between October 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021 and must include at least one resident of an IHCA member facility/program and they must be submitted by an IHCA member facility/program.
A dated and signed release form from the resident, family and/or guardian of the resident pictured must be on file at the facility for each entry. This release can be used for our purposes as long as it allows for the photograph to be used by the facility and/or IHCA in this program and subsequent promotions.

Attach your photo release(s) below.
1. Briefly describe the facility: *
2. Give the name and title of the photographer *
3. Name the resident(s) in the photograph. *
4. Describe what event is taking place in the picture or an interesting story associated with the photograph. (If there is a newspaper story in which the photograph appeared, please include it, with date of publication.) *
Upload Photo: *
Upload Release(s): *
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2021 Staff & Speciality Award Nominations

Staff & Specialty Awards

Award Categories

Award Nomination Rules & Procedures

Administration Awards

Employee Awards

Volunteer Award

Associate Member Award

Community Partnership Award

Innovative Program Award

Media Event Award

Communications Award

Photograph Award