The Assisted Living Best Practices Award is sponsored by the Virginia Assisted Living Association (VALA) and recognizes assisted living communities and industry advocates who create innovative programs or unique approaches to provide the best service possible to its residents, employees, guests, and local community.

Nomination Guidelines: One award will be given annually at the awards ceremony held in conjunction with the VALA Fall Conference. Only VALA members are eligible to receive the award.

Potential Areas of Best Practices: External community engagement; Managed resident services (transportation, activities, housekeeping, security, maintenance, dining services); Staff recruitment/retention; Technology; and Utilization and support of volunteers.

Requirements for Reference: Nominator’s references need to provide a detailed description of the nominated best practice and specify what the need was that existed to initiate the creation of the best practice. References should provide examples of where the assisted living community may have provided innovative care and exhibited the best practice. The following criteria will be used in evaluating best practice nominations.
  • Is innovative and provides a unique approach to provide the best service possible to residents, employees, guests, and the local community;
  • Develops and maintains positive impact at the community on the lives of residents;
  • Develops and maintains positive impact at the community on the staff;
  • Results in performance improvements from using the best practice;
  • Includes support for residents and staff in implementation; and
  • Has an ability to be implemented at other senior living communities.
Prize Package: The winner will receive a prize package containing at a minimum: 1/2 page ad in the following VALA Spring Conference program, one free VALA Conference registration, VALA branded items, a certificate of recognition, a professional video showcasing the best practice and affiliated company on VALA's YouTube channel, and an engraved award for display.

Nomination checklist:
  • A completed nomination form
  • Detailed description of nominated best practice with examples of how it has been impactful
  • One (1) reference letter identifying the best practice's qualifications based on the above "Requirements for Reference"
Supporting documents, including reference letters, may be sent to VALA in the following methods:
  • Uploaded or linked to at the end of this online nomination form
  • Emailed to: information@valainfo.org
  • Faxed to: (888) 611-8252
  • Sent to: VALA Diamond Awards, PO Box 71266, Henrico, VA 23255
Questions? Please contact VALA by calling (804) 332-2111 or emailing information@valainfo.org for assistance.
Nominations must be received in the VALA office by 11:59 PM on May 15, 2026.
General Info:

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* 1. Nominated Best Practice:

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* 2. Nominator Name:

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* 3. Employment Title:

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* 4. Nominator Telephone:

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* 5. Nominator E-Mail:

Organization Info:

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* 6. VALA Member - Organization Name:

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* 7. Organization Address:

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* 8. Organization Telephone:

Nominator Info:

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* 9. Provide a brief overview of how the practice is implemented. (Please be specific and limit your response to one paragraph)

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* 10. What was the inspiration or motivation behind developing this practice?

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* 11. Can you share any specific success stories or examples that demonstrate the effectiveness of this practice?

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* 12. Is there anything else you would like VALA to know about this practice and its value to your community?

Supporting Documents:

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* 13. If desired, please upload any supporting documents (news articles, reference letters, etc.)

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.
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* 14. If desired, include any links to supporting documents:

Please note:

1. The following documents are required in a completed nomination:
  • A completed nomination form
  • Detailed description of nominated best practice with examples of how it has been impactful
  • One (1) reference letter identifying the best practice's qualifications based on the above "Requirements for Reference"
2. Supporting documents, such as additional reference letters, flyers on the best practice, news articles, etc. may be uploaded with the nomination or may be sent via the submission options included in the instructions.

3. Questions? Please contact VALA by calling (804) 332-2111 or emailing information@valainfo.org for assistance.

4. Nominations must be received in the VALA office by 11:59PM on May 15, 2026.
Thank you for your nomination. Let's celebrate excellence!

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