MSSA Awards Program

Health and human service professionals often do not receive the appreciation and respect that their hard work deserves. At MSSA, we believe that the work our members do is critically important and deserves recognition. Members can nominate colleagues, friends, volunteers, agencies, and other deserving people for MSSA Awards to highlight successes and outstanding individuals in the health and human service field. Members in regions 3, 4, 6, 7, 8,9, and Metro first submit nominations to their regional boards, who independently review all nominations. Winners are then recognized at regions' fall conferences. 

Regional award recipients—as well as any nominees from regions 1, 2, 5, and 10—then move on for consideration at the statewide awards level, where their nominations are judged by an independent committee. Statewide winners are recognized during the General Session of MSSA's Annual Conference & Expo in March.

Click here to nominate someone for an award. 

For more information on MSSA's awards program, contact Suzanne Lamoreaux.

Awards: 

Outstanding Adult Foster Care 
MSSA recognizes outstanding foster care provided to adults through the Adult Foster Care Award. Nominees demonstrate outstanding efforts of providing a stable and supportive environment which allows for client growth and development. 
Outstanding Child Foster Care
MSSA recognizes outstanding foster care provided to children through the Child Foster Care Award. Nominees demonstrate an outstanding ability to provide a stable and supportive environment which allows for children’s growth and development. 

Community Collaboration 
MSSA recognizes community collaborations that benefit the health and human service system through the Community Collaboration Award. 
Individual Distinguished Service to MSSA
The award for the Individual Distinguished Service to MSSA recognizes an individual member for their outstanding service and leadership our organization. 

The Morris Hursh Award
The Morris Hursh Award recognizes a Minnesotan who has had a national impact on the delivery of health and human services at the national, state and local levels; and their involvement with MSSA and other health and human service-related professional groups. 

Outstanding Retiree 
MSSA recognizes retirees for their outstanding service to the health and human service community with significant contributions to clients, agency, and community. 

Outstanding Staff Achievement 
MSSA recognizes individuals who routinely exemplify outstanding service to clients, their colleagues and place of work through the Staff Achievement Award. 

Outstanding Student 
MSSA recognizes students who routinely demonstrate their ability to excel both academically and in their internships and field work experiences.

Outstanding Treatment Foster Care 
MSSA recognizes treatment foster care providers who deliver outstanding foster care to children with special needs, including developmental disabilities and serious emotional, behavioral and medical needs. Nominees for this award demonstrate an outstanding effort of providing a stable and supportive environment which allows for children’s growth and development. 

Outstanding Volunteer Service 
MSSA recognizes an individual for their outstanding volunteer service.