Compassionate Champion Award nominations due April 15

Gov. John Carney recently announced the 2021 Compassionate Champion Award nomination form is now available.

The award recognizes Delaware individuals, organizations and educational institutions that provide trauma-informed services. The nomination period closes at 5 p.m., Thursday, April 15.

Winners will be announced during Trauma Awareness Month Saturday, May 15. A recognition event will be announced at a later date.

“The pandemic has impacted everyone in one way or another, and Delawareans and organizations have supported their neighbors in need,” said Carney. “I encourage Delawareans and organizations across our state to submit nominations. We look forward to recognizing the important work of those who have served their fellow Delawareans with compassion and with a trauma-informed approach, especially over this past year.”

The Compassionate Champion Award highlights individuals or teams in government, nonprofit and private organizations, first responder professions, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, families and caregivers, and other agencies that have taken steps toward providing services in a manner consistent with trauma-informed care.

The award categories include: 

• Government - Agency, division, team, workgroup or individuals of State of Delaware, county, or municipal governmental agencies/organizations
• Community Organizations - Nonprofit or for-profit organizations providing support services to individuals, families and communities, e.g., faith-based organizations, those serving individuals with disabilities, homeless services, veteran services, elderly and crisis intervention.
• First Responders - Organizations such as fire, law enforcement, victim services and EMT.
• Education (P-20) - Universities, colleges, school districts, schools, early childhood centers, daycare centers and other educational institutions.
• Family/Caregiver - A family member or family caregiver demonstrating exceptional trauma-informed care during an especially difficult year.
• Healthcare - Agencies, providers, hospitals, or individuals providing trauma-informed care to service recipients.
• Other - Organizations that may not fit within the categories above.

Any individual, community partner, first responder, educational institution, state agency or other organization providing services to Delaware citizens within Delaware is eligible for nomination. Applicants may nominate themselves, or another individual or organization.

To access the nomination form, go to governor.delaware.gov and search Compassionate Champion Award.

In 2018, the Family Services Cabinet Council implemented Executive Order No. 24, which launched efforts to make Delaware a trauma-informed state. As part of this initiative, Delaware is committed to ensuring all environments that serve children and adults in the state are working to embody practices of trauma-informed care, which includes:

• Creating respectful, sensitive and culturally competent environments
• Implementing evidence-based, trauma-informed principles and practices that address the effects associated with trauma
• Developing a common language and framework for dialogue and discussion to enhance communication and progress along the continuum of trauma-informed care 
• Increasing the effectiveness and responsiveness of all services and assistance provided to Delawareans, especially children and adults who have experienced traumatic circumstances.

For more information, email fscc@delaware.gov.