Awards & Scholarships

The association is proud to provide a variety of opportunities to recognize and thank the individuals who strengthen the Head Start and/or Early Head Start community. The Illinois Head Start Association annual awards process is central to this effort.

Any individual interested in nominating or self-nominating is to submit the following items listed below. This information will be reviewed by the Annual Awards Committee as part of the candidate’s application packet. Following the review of applications, if selected, applicants will receive an email requesting letter(s) of support. Applicant must submit the following to be considered for the award:

This award acknowledges the important contributions of forward-thinking administrators to the long-term success of Head Start/Early Head Start programs and, ultimately, the children and families they serve. The successful candidate will be a current employee of a Head Start/Early Head Start program in Illinois serving in a role that oversees the leadership of an organization as the executive, director or assistant director levels. The successful candidate will have been in this role for 5+ years.

This award acknowledges the important contributions of forward-thinking administrators to the long-term success of Head Start/Early Head Start programs and, ultimately, the children and families they serve. The successful candidate will be a current employee of a Head Start/Early Head Start program in Illinois serving in a role that oversees the leadership of an organization as the executive, director or assistant director levels. The successful candidate will have been in this role for 5+ years.

This award acknowledges the important contributions of staff who work in administration, management, family services, facilities, food service, transportation, health, disabilities and social services. The successful candidate will be a current employee of a Head Start/Early Head Start program in Illinois. The successful candidate will have been in this role for 5+ years. .

This award celebrates our most important partner, PARENTS! This award will honor a Head Start/Early Head Start parent who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. The parent should exemplify a role model for his/her children and to other parents and has made efforts to make a positive difference in the community. The successful candidate must have a child(ren) enrolled in the current school/program year. The candidate should hold a position of leadership on a site council, parent or policy council, state, regional or national association.

This scholarship is to support the college education in the field of study in any area for a current or past Early Head Start/Head Start parent, current Early Head Start/Head Start staff member or former Early Head Start/ Head Start child.  The applicant can be attending and/or attended college in the past but does not have to have any college experience to apply. However, the applicant must have their High School diploma or GED to qualify. 

This scholarship is to support a current or past Head Start parent, current Head Start staff member or a former Head Start child that is working towards completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.  Applicant must have ongoing college experience at an accredited Institution of Higher Education.