The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Office of Cultural and Linguistic Competence is accepting nominations for the Innovative Achievement Award.

We would like to take the opportunity to recognize organizations or teams who are implementing promising methods that advance the cultural and linguistic competence of health care throughout Virginia.

Programs selected will be focused on promoting the reduction of racial or ethnic health disparities and the increase of access to services in underserved communities.

The winners will be presented a certificate and their achievement will be highlighted through DBHDS media channels.

Awards will be issued biannually based on nominations that demonstrate an exceptional impact on the community through innovative ways of incorporating cultural and/or linguistic relevant practices.

Eligibility Criteria
The nominated health care organization or team must demonstrate a unique and effective way to incorporate cultural and/or linguistic competent practices by quantifying the positive impact it has had on the community. Organizations or teams must have operated programs within the behavioral health or developmental human services system.

Who Can Nominate
Anyone from community members who have benefited from a team or organization’s cultural or linguistic innovations to team members or supervisors who feel that there has been a great impact on the community and recognition would be well deserved.

Nomination Process
• Complete the online form
• All nominations must be e-mailed to OCLC@vdhbs.virginia.gov and received by March 1, 2016 to be considered for spring nominations and October 1, 2016 to be considered for fall nominations.
• Nominations for spring will also be considered for fall.
• Recipients will be selected and notified 30 days prior to the award date.

We look forward to reading the submissions, recognizing you for your hard work, and sharing it with organizations influencing linguistic and cultural change throughout the Commonwealth!

Thanks in advance for your participation!

*Verification will be sought to ensure that the above statements are accurate and that the organization is willing to have the program highlighted in         DBHDS material. 

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* 1. Your Name

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* 2. Phone number

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* 3. Email

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* 4. Nominated Organization or Team or Program

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* 5. What kind of organization is this?

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* 6. What was the motivation to implement this program? (300 words max)

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* 7. Explain how your program works and why you feel this is the most efficient, effective way to create health equity for an underserved population. (300 words max)

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* 8. How do you feel this organization or team has made a quantifiable impact on the community by providing cultural or linguistic appropriate services? (300 words max)

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* 9. How has this team or organization gone above and beyond what is required to address health needs in an equitable manner? (300 word max)

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* 10. How has this team or organization gone above and beyond what is required to address health needs in an equitable manner? (300 words max)

Supplementary information may be requested after initial screening of nomination.
For questions, email OCLC@dbhds.virginia.gov

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