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Jeanette A. McCollum Award for Service to the Field

This award will only be given if and when a suitable candidate is identified who meets the high standards of professional practice set by Jeanette A. McCollum. Jeanette is a leader in research and personnel preparation in the field of early intervention/early childhood special education and has contributed significantly within Illinois and to the International Division for Early Childhood (DEC). Candidates for the Jeanette A. McCollum Award shall meet the following criteria:

  1. Be a professional in an agency or an organization in the field of early intervention/early childhood (0-8), family member, student or community member, or an area that directly impacts on early intervention/early childhood (e.g., government).
  2. It is encouraged, but not required, that the candidate be a current member of DEC.
  3. Have made significant contributions on a state, regional, or local level which have improved or will improve the lives of young children with special needs, their families, or those who work on their behalf. Contributions may be in direct services, personnel preparation, leadership, policy develop ment, research, advocacy, or publications. (Note: These contributions should be consistent with the overall goals of Illinois and International DEC.)

An award recipient shall receive a plaque or other commemorative award (trophy, statue, etc.), cash award, waiver of registration fees to the Sharing A Vision (SAV) conference, one-year complimentary membership into DEC/CEC, and have details of their award published in the Illinois DEC newsletter.

The endowment for this award will enable the organization to make a cash award biannually when interest earnings on the principal permit, as determined by the Illinois DEC treasurer. Travel costs to the SAV conference are considered part of the cash award unless this amount would cause a hardship for the recipient. The decision whether to support and the amount of support will be made by the Committee based on information provided by the Chair of the Awards Committee.

Past awardees:

1999. Jeanette McCollum
2001. Sharon Andersen
2003. Char Ward
2007. Ted Burke

For more information on the Jeanette A. McCollum Award for Service to the Field, please contact:

Jennifer Loncola
De Paul University
School of Education
2320 North Kenmore
Chicago , IL. 60614
Work: (773) 325-7740
Email: jloncola@depaul.edu