2027 FMHCA Annual Conference Award Nominations

Nomination Procedure
Nominations may be submitted by any current FMHCA member. To support the selection process, nominations should include a clear and well-organized narrative with specific examples and supporting documentation that illustrate the nominee’s qualifications and contributions relevant to the award category.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT: All nominees must be FMHCA members in good standing at the time of nomination.

The deadline for award submissions is 11/15/26

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* 1. Select nomination category (only one can be selected per submission):

Advocate of the Year
Recognizes an FMHCA member who has demonstrated exceptional impact through both advocacy and community-level service on behalf of mental health counselors. Nominees should demonstrate strength in at least two of the following:
• Legislative or policy work at the local, state, or federal level
• Advancement of systemic mental health issues
• Direct service addressing unmet community mental health needs
• Promotion of the counseling profession at the grassroots or community level
• Development or expansion of programs benefiting consumers or the profession
• Sustained, distinguished service to FMHCA's advocacy initiatives
Nominators should describe specific outcomes or impact across both advocacy and community service dimensions where possible.

Chapter of the Year
Honors a FMHCA chapter that has demonstrated measurable excellence during the award year. Eligible chapters must show evidence of:
• Strengthening FMHCA's presence and membership at the regional level
• Delivering meaningful programming or services to chapter members
• Engaging the public through impactful outreach or education initiatives
Nominators should include examples of programs, attendance data, or member feedback where available.

Mental Health Counselor of the Year
Celebrates a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) who has made a significant, demonstrable contribution to the field. Nominees must hold a current Florida mental health counseling license (LMHC) and have shown leadership or impact in at least one of the following:
• FMHCA committee, leadership, or initiative involvement
• Policy development or professional advocacy at the local, state, or national level
• Innovation in program development or response to critical mental health issues
This award recognizes practicing LMHCs. For registered interns, see the Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern of the Year award.

Graduate Student of the Year
Recognizes a graduate student or doctoral student who exemplifies professional promise and excellence. Nominees must be currently enrolled in one of the following:
• A master's-level Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program, or
• A doctoral-level Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) PhD program
Nominees should demonstrate strength in at least two of the following:
• Academic achievement (e.g., GPA, honors, scholarships)
• Clinical skill, professional demeanor, or supervisory commendation
• Contributions to the field through research, writing, presentation, or service
Nominators should speak to both the student's current performance and their potential impact on the profession.

Volunteer of the Year
Honors a FMHCA member whose volunteer contributions have meaningfully advanced the organization's work. Nominees should demonstrate:
• Consistent, sustained service that goes beyond expected volunteer duties
• Direct impact on FMHCA operations, events, or member experience
• A spirit of commitment that reflects FMHCA's mission and values
Nominators should distinguish the nominee's volunteer role

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern of the Year
Recognizes a FMHCA member who is currently a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in Florida who has made a significant, demonstrable contribution to the field at the intern level. Nominees should have shown leadership or impact in at least one of the following:
• FMHCA committee, leadership, or initiative involvement
• Advocacy or policy engagement at the local, state, or national level
• Innovation or excellence in clinical service, program development, or response to critical mental health issues
Nominators should contextualize the nominee's contributions within the scope of their intern status and supervisory context.

Counselor Educator of the Year
Recognizes a FMHCA member actively engaged in counselor education who has made a significant contribution to training the next generation of mental health professionals. Nominees should demonstrate excellence in at least two of the following:
• Teaching, curriculum development, or program leadership in a CACREP-accredited or accreditation-seeking program
• Mentorship of graduate students or emerging professionals
• Scholarly contributions (research, publication, or presentation) relevant to counselor education or supervision
• Advocacy for counselor education standards or professional identity development

2027 FMHCA Annual Conference Award Nominations

Question Title

* 1. Select nomination category (only one can be selected per submission):

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* 2. Email Address of Nominee

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* 3. Letter of Nomination

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* 4. Full name of person submitting nomination

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* 5. Current position or title of person submitting nomination

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* 6. Email address of person submitting nomination

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* 7. Nominee Photo

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* 8. Phone Number of Nominee

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* 9. Nominee's Vitae/Resume

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* 10. Current position or title of Nominee