Voices is proud to partner with advocates across Virginia who use their voice for policies that improve the lives of children and youth. We want to give these advocates the mic and recognize their contributions.

We are seeking nominations for the 2023 Amplify Awards to be recognized at a celebration the evening before our Beyond Trauma: Youth Mental Health Policy and Practice Summit. The honorees will have the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments in front of a statewide audience of legislative champions and fellow advocates. A committee of volunteers will evaluate nomination submissions and select the honorees.

Eligible nominees include organizations and individuals involved in public policy, advocacy, public awareness, program development, grassroots organizing, data analysis, research or other civic or community-level service. Current elected officials or anyone running for elected office are not eligible for the Amplify Awards.

Award honorees must demonstrate:

• Efforts focused on young people to promote positive and equitable outcomes;
• Dedication to young people who have been impacted by systemic injustices
• Work that inspired local, state or national policy change or informed policy conversations
• High ethical standards; and
• Value for the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging

Specific criteria for four award categories include:

1. Emerging (individual)
   1. Work in policy/advocacy for no more than five years
   2. Introduced new approaches that shaped policy or systems change
2. Established (individual)
   1. Active work in policy/advocacy for more than 20 years
   2. Consistent commitment to policies to improve equitable outcomes for children and youth
3. Youth led (organization/group)
   1. Leader of the effort is not older than 25 years old on Oct 11, 2023
   2. Incorporated youth voices and leadership into approach
4. Healing centered (organization/group)
   1. Internal shifts in practice recognizing and reflecting trauma to promote healing
   2. Includes the voices of those directly impacted in shaping organizational approach

NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59 PM on MONDAY, JULY 17, 2023.

NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59 PM on MONDAY, JULY 17, 2023.

Questions should be directed to info@vakids.org

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