Call for Nominations: Moving Mountains Awards

Recognizing Best Practice in Direct Support Workforce Development

Deadline For Submission

Friday, June 5, 2026 (11:59 pm Central Standard Time)

The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), the Institute on Community Integration (ICI) at the University of Minnesota, and the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) are seeking nominations for the 2026 Moving Mountains Award. This prestigious award recognizes organizations that use leading practices in workforce development to improve outcomes for people with disabilities.

Criteria
Nominees must demonstrate how their philosophy and practices align with the core NADSP principles:

• Lifelong Learning: Providing access to competency-based training and higher education.
• Career Pathways: Using certification to incentivize retention, increase compensation, and create professional growth.
• Ethical Practice: Infusing values-based decision-making into daily work.
• Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships between DSPs, self-advocates, families, and advocacy groups.

Who Should Apply?
We are looking for unique, creative initiatives that support community living.

• Scope: Initiatives of all sizes – from single local programs to large statewide efforts – are eligible.
• Re-submission: Previous applicants who were not selected are encouraged to reapply.

Recognition

Up to two winners will be selected. Award recipients will be honored at the 2026 Reinventing Quality Conference in Baltimore, MD (October 4-6, 2026).

If you have questions regarding the completion of the application, please email the Moving Mountains Coordinators at movingmountains@umn.edu.

For information on previous award winners visit our Moving Mountains Award Past Winners page.