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Collaborations Award Nominations

At the 2025 Collaborations Conference, we will be recognizing outstanding individuals during our Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Honors will include a Personal Achievement Award, Karen Tefelski Champion of Collaborations Award, Business/Employer Award and Direct Service Provider Award. Please use the Nomination form below to nominate deserving individuals for these awards.
Nominations are due October 31st.
1.2025 Personal Achievement Award

The Collaborations Personal Achievement Award is a prestigious honor jointly presented by three statewide associations in Virginia. The associations involved are the Virginia Association of Community Rehabilitation programs dba (vaACCSES), the Virginia Rehabilitation Association (VRA), and the Association for Persons Supporting Employment First (VA-APSE). This year, the associations chose to recognize an individual who accessed services to overcome employment barriers. Through their personal achievements, perseverance and determination, they secured employment and gained positive outcomes from one (or more) services which has enabled them to transition off of social security benefits. (Be sure to complete the award justification requested in the following section)
2.Personal Achievement Award Justification
3.2025 Karen Tefelski Champion of Collaborations Award

Award is a prestigious honor jointly presented by three statewide associations in Virginia. This year, the associations chose to recognize an individual who has shown exceptional support and advocacy for the Collaborations Conference. The associations involved are the Virginia Association of Community Rehabilitation programs dba (vaACCSES), the Virginia Rehabilitation Association (VRA) and the Association for Persons Supporting Employment First (VA-APSE).

This award honors an individual whose exceptional dedication, support and efforts have ensured the ongoing success of the Collaborations Conference. Their contributions must have also fostered stronger relationships among service providers, employment service organizations, stakeholders, business, families and those who provide support and assist citizens with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Be sure to complete the award justification requested in the following section)
4.Karen Tefelski Champion of Collaborations Award Justification
5.2025 Business/Employer of the Year Award

The Collaborations Business/Employer of the Year Award is an award presented by three statewide associations in Virginia. The associations involved are the Virginia Association of Community Rehabilitation programs dba (va-ACCSES), the Virginia Rehabilitation Association (VRA) and the Association for Persons Supporting Employment First (VA-APSE). For more than 25 years these three associations have worked together to promote the employment of persons with disabilities.

This award honors a business/employer which has been exceptional in its hiring, promoting and accommodating of persons with disabilities. This can be a small or large business. The business can also be an entrepreneurial endeavor or business operated by persons with disabilities. The contributions must have fostered the hiring and supporting of persons with disabilities by an employer in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Be sure to complete the award justification requested in the following section)
6.Business/Employer of the Year Award Justification
7.2025 Direct Service Provider Award

The Collaborations Direct Provider Award is a prestigious honor jointly presented by three statewide associations in Virginia. This year, the associations chose to recognize an individual who has shown exceptional support and advocacy for the Collaborations Conference. The associations involved are the Virginia Association of Community Rehabilitation programs dba (vaACCSES), the Virginia Rehabilitation Association (VRA) and the Association for Persons Supporting Employment First (VA-APSE).

This award recognizes an individual or organization whose outstanding dedication, support and creativity have contributed to the employment success of a person receiving services. Recipients of this award are resourceful, innovative, determined and strongly believe that our work empowers people with disabilities to live independently and pursue meaningful employment. (Be sure to complete the award justification requested in the following section)
8.Direct Service Provider Award Justification
Thank you for your nomination(s)!