2026 Full Lives Conference - DSP of the Year Nomination Form

2026 Full Lives Conference Awards Nomination Form for: Direct Support Professional, Direct Service Careers & Care Coordinators - Outstanding Professional of the Year Awards

Application due date is 5:00pm, Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Now accepting nominations for the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award for professionals who work to support people in the following areas:
- Developmental Disabilities (for direct support professional)
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (for direct service career professional)
- Severe Mental Illness (for direct service career professional)
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Age-Related Dementia/Elder Care (for direct service career professional)
- Chronic Alcoholism/Substance Abuse (for direct service career professional)
- Care Coordinator Professional
- Spirit of Full Lives Lifetime Achievement Award*
To be eligible for an outstanding professional award, a person must work AT LEAST 75% of their time in direct care activities. Direct Support and Direct Service Career Professionals provide support to a wide range of individuals in a variety of settings including the individual’s home, workplace, residential center, day center, and community. Positions include, but are not limited to: Care Coordinators, PCAs, CNAs, direct support professionals, home care providers, recreation staff, direct service career professionals, clinicians, job coaches, counselors, and early intervention associates; anyone who works directly with an infant, child, adolescent, adult or senior who depends on support to be more self-sufficient.

*The Spirit of Full Lives Lifetime Achievment Award is in recognition of the many years of phenomenal service that encompasses the spirit and soul of the Direct Service Career role, not just as a profession, but truly as a way of life.

Please submit your nomination as soon as possible but no later than 5:00pm, Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Selected winners will receive $1,500 and free registration to this year and next year's Full Lives Conference!
Name of Person you are nominating*

First NameLast Name
Nominee's title*
Number of years in field*
Nominee's email*
Nominee phone*

Area CodePhone Number
Nominee's employer/agency name*
Nominee's employer/agency address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
How long have they worked with this employer/agency?*
Name of nominee's supervisor - please include - very important!*
Name of the employer/agency's executive director*
Executive director's email*
example@example.com
Your name (nominator)*
Your email*
example@example.com
Your phone*
Your relationship to the nominee?*
The nomination process requires three steps:
Nominations must be submitted by 5:00pm, Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

STEP ONE: Select only one award type:
- Developmental Disabilities (for direct support professional)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (for direct service career professional)
- Severe Mental Illness (for direct service career professional)
- Alzheimer’s Disease and other age-related dementia/Elder Care (for direct service career professional)
- Chronic Alcoholism/Substance Abuse (for direct service career professional)
- Care Coordinator Professional
- Spirit of Full Lives Lifetime Achievement Award.
STEP TWO: Each nominated individual must have at least two completed nomination forms from individuals who:
- receive services from the Nominee,
- is a member of the family of the person receiving care, OR
- works as a Direct Support, Direct Service Career Professional or is a supervisor that knows the nominee and endorses this nomination.

STEP THREE: Each nominator must complete the entire nomination form. Please share the link to the form with other nominators.
STEP ONE: Select one award type*

Developmental Disabilities (for direct support professional)Traumatic Brain Injury (for direct service career professional)Severe Mental Illness (for direct service career professional)Alzheimer’s Disease and other age-related dementia/Elder Care (for direct service career professional)Chronic Alcoholism/Substance Abuse (for direct service career professional)Care Coordinator ProfessionalSpirit of Full Lives Lifetime Achievement Award.
Since this award is about providing direct services to individuals, we would like to hear from you about the Nominee. Please check the major area of support for your Nominee (check only one of the following):
Please select one of the three options that applies to you:*

I receive services from the nomineeI am a family member from someone who receives services from the nomineeI am a co-worker of the nomineeI am the nominee's supervisor
The support I receive or witness is usually:*

Fantastic!Really good!Pretty good!
I like working or being with the nominee because - please provide specific stories, instances, or examples of their exemplary work:*
Describe the type(s) of disabilities your clients experience - Describe your client population.*
Disclaimer: You may be contacted and asked for additional information about your nomination, but we do not share your name. The story you share may be shortened for editing purposes.
Please copy and share the link for this form with additional nominators.

Form link: https://form.jotform.com/252867997563985
If you know the name of a person who may be interested in completing a nomination, please indicate their name and contact information below. This will help us in gathering information for the nominee. Thank you.
Should be Empty:

2026 Full Lives Conference Awards Nomination Form for: Direct Support Professional, Direct Service Careers & Care Coordinators - Outstanding Professional of the Year Awards