Awards of Excellence 2018

 For the 17^th consecutive year, the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence will honor winners in six categories (see detailed descriptions below):

Congratulations to our 2018 Award Winners!
Winners were announced at the School’s Out, Make it Count Conference on October 20th.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

City of Tempe KidZone Enrichment Porgram
Tempe, AZ

2018 Awards of Excellence Descriptions

MELANIE McCLINTOCK LEADERSHIP AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
This award spotlights leadership excellence by an out-of-school time program or site leader, director, supervisor or coordinator. The winner of this award:

• has seven or more years’ experience in administering out-of-school time programs OR education and non-profit administrators that advocate on behalf of their out-of-school time programs
• understands the critical value of quality out-of-school time programs in the developmental needs of youth
• has made significant contributions to the out-of-school time field. This could entail being actively engaged with a youth development organization, provide training in the out-of-school time field, or advocate for the out-of-school time movement and profession

OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROFESSIONAL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
This award spotlights professional excellence by a staff member in out-of-school time profession. The winner of this award:

• has worked directly with children for at least two years of their career
• currently works a minimum of ten hours a week in a public, private, faith-based, school-based, neighborhood located, or military based out-of-school time program
• work reflects inclusive understanding of the developmental needs of children, youth and families, continued professional development, and the highest standards outlined by the Arizona Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs.

OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
This award spotlights an organization, department, program or individual program site’s excellence. The winner of this award:

• has operated for at least two years
• can be public, private, faith-based, school based, neighborhood located, community based, or military based
• meets the highest standards of quality in the field
• demonstrates capacity to meet the needs of children, youth and families in their community

OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME NEW STAFF MEMBER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
This award spotlights a staff member new to the out-of-school time profession. The winner of this award:

• has worked in an out-of-school time program for no more than two years
• currently works in a public, private, faith-based, school-based, neighborhood located, or military based out-of-school time program

INNOVATIVE PRACTICES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
This award spotlights an innovative out-of-school time program. The winner of this award:

• is implementing cutting edge programming to encourage deeper learning and to challenge young people to act as scientists, inventors, collaborators and problem-solvers
• has innovative curriculum that has been in place for at least one year
• meets the highest standards of quality in the field

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
This award spotlights an organization or department’s commitment to to quality out-of-school time programming using the Arizona Quality Standards Assessment Tool (AzQSAT). Two awards will be awarded, one to an organization with five or less programs and one award to an organization with six or more programs. The winners of this award:

• have signed or renewed their commitment with the Make It Count Pledge within the last 12 months
• have at least a majority, if not all, of their programs registered on the AzQSAT tool
• have a majority, if not all, of their registered programs active within the last 12 months on the AzQSAT

2018 Awards of Excellence Rules & Requirements

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE RULES & REQUIREMENTS

The nomination application and any additional materials must be submitted online at azafterschool.org. All award finalists will be selected by an independent panel of judges. Once finalists have been selected additional information may be requested. Finalists and their nominators will be notified by email. If additional information is needed, AzCASE will contact the nominator. The winner and honorees will be announced at the Arizona Statewide Out-of-School Time Conference, October 20, 2018. Awards will be presented during the Conference lunch at the Phoenix Convention Center. By submitting a nomination or supporting document (such as a letter of support), participating individuals grant the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence permission to use the any of the submitted materials, not protected by copyright, in advertisements and/or promotions without compensation or notification. Such advertisements or promotions may include internet/social media announcements of the Awards of Excellence or the conference, as well as print materials distributed at or in promotion of the events. Nomination deadline is June 30, 2018.