Award Purpose

This award is intended to recognize the actions or activities of those that are dedicated to the core principles of integrity or ethics. It is not intended to recognize those whose positions are focused primarily on integrity and ethics (e.g., Compliance, Ethics & Audit officer), but to recognize those who go above and beyond the integrity/ethics actions or activities normally expected within the profession. We are all expected to have integrity and ethics that guide our activities, but there are individuals that take that expectation to a higher level.

Award Criteria

We welcome nominations about individuals or teams who go above and beyond the integrity/ethics actions or activities normally expected based on the individual's role, or the team’s function, in one or more of the following areas:

• Conducting research to inform practice on matters of integrity or ethics (e.g., professional ethics, business ethics, research ethics, or responsible conduct of research) when that research is not an expected responsibility within the individual’s role.
• Promoting integrity and ethics In worksite department or team meetings, promoting ethics in unique or extensive ways that go beyond what is normally expected of the person’s role.
• Mentoring and/or role modeling integrity and ethics, whether in counseling, training, or being accountable for professional performance, that ethics are noticeable and impactful on others.
• Volunteering in an exemplary or unexpected manner in service to integrity or ethics. The service could be on an official MARRCH committee, a governing board, or to run events or programs.
• Institutionalizing integrity or ethics by implementing infrastructures or procedures to support integrity/ethics or addressing systemic factors that lead to professional integrity/ethical violations.
• Exhibiting courage in defending integrity by, for example, speaking up against or questioning the provision of services that are not supported by best practices, or by stopping peers, colleagues, or superiors from engaging in integrity violations

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. We aim to present one Bernie Belling Ethics Award each year yet reserve the right to present a second award when warranted. Previous recipients are not eligible for and may not be recognized with this award multiple times. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference.

Award Purpose

The Supervisor of the Year Award was established to draw attention to supervisors who excel in their positions and are highly regarded by their employees for their consistent leadership, integrity, understanding and support of their employees, both professionally and personally. These supervisors know that the productivity, quality of work and morale in the program are enhanced by well treated employees. In addition, an employee’s loyalty and dedication are the direct results of their supervisors’ positive attitude, integrity, sensitivity, empowering leadership style and sense of humor.

Award Criteria

MARRCH members are invited to nominate an outstanding supervisor who consistently exhibits positive leadership practices and who meet the following requirements:

• Understands work/life balance and treats all employees with dignity, respect, and integrity
• Promotes teamwork, while supporting the individual’s well-being
• Has a positive leadership style and empowers others
• Understands and can teach program policies and procedures
• Is consistent, available, timely, and attentive to trainee’s needs
• Helps create a safe and brave space allowing for trainee to be vulnerable, open, reflective, and authentic in the learning process
• Can give honest, helpful, and constructive feedback clearly, sensitively, and in a timely manner
• Trainee has been supported in gaining knowledge and providing competent clinical care, as seen by improvement with clients
• Infuses multiculturalism into the supervision process to help trainee prepare to practice in a multiculturally diverse world

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. We aim to present one Bernie Belling Ethics Award each year yet reserve the right to present a second award when warranted. Previous recipients are not eligible for and may not be recognized with this award multiple times. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference.

Award Purpose

The Counselor of the Year Award was established to draw attention to clinicians who excel in their positions by rendering quality individual and/or groups counseling services. These services may have been provided at an SUD treatment center, clinic, school, or a medical program. The recipient shall be recognized as providing significant contributions to the organization by displaying leadership qualities both at the program and in the community.

Award Criteria

The nominee must currently be employed as a full-time counselor, counselor educator, or in a counseling-related position. The nominee should possess the personal qualities desirable in a counselor, counselor educator, or counseling-related professional and should have contributed to innovations in counseling, counselor education, or counseling-related programming leading to the further development of existing services.

The nominee must have engaged in a history of professional development efforts that:

• Have included substantive work beyond the call of duty to improve professional practices and demonstrate diligence, skill, and effectiveness in applying the principles and concepts appropriate to help clients achieve their individual goals
• Have strengthened, expanded, enhanced, improved, or extended the reach of the profession

These efforts may include the following:

• The development of methods, techniques, materials, books and/or models
• Exceptional efforts to obtain support for the profession
• Sustained efforts in professional education, through providing training, workshops, providing supervision to or teaching counselors or counselors in training
• Efforts to create and improve opportunities for all individuals to realize their full potential, as evidenced by work performed in professional organizations, work that has affected the lives and careers of many, or other activities that demonstrate sensitivity to the problem in general of human growth and development and relate to improving the interaction of people with their environment.

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. We aim to present one Counselor of the Year Award each year. Previous recipients are not eligible for and may not be recognized with this award multiple times. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference.

Award Purpose

This award recognizes individuals whose service to the MARRCH association or member organization, over an extended period, has strengthened or enhanced the association resulting in an increase of MARRCH’s credibility and impact.

Award Criteria

This award honors individuals whose service to the MARRCH organization or the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) field has gone above and beyond volunteer contributions to serve our profession and our membership while modeling the values and behavior of the association.

In completing the nomination application, the nominator should address one or more of the following, providing examples of how the nominee:

• Actively participated in defining strategy for the association and the implementation directly resulting in advancement toward established goals
• Exercised servant-leadership inspiring others by modeling initiative, accepting, and carrying out additional responsibilities
• Provided services to members or others on behalf of MARRCH
• Developing or leading vital new initiatives for MARRCH network
• Fostering mutually beneficial, innovative, and creative alliances or partnerships for MARRCH
• Making continuing, valuable contributions to MARRCH’s key activities
• Worked collaboratively with other MARRCH volunteers, looking for synergies and inspiring others achievements

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. Up to three Service awards may be presented each year. Previous recipients are eligible for and may be recognized with this award multiple times provided additional service has amassed. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference.

Award Purpose

This award is given in recognition of a MARRCH member who has made a significant impact on the practice of Substance Used Disorder (SUD) treatment. The recipient will be a transformational leader that is focused on collaboration, research, learning, and discussions to mobilize boundary-crossing practices and enhance the social impact and outcomes of the SUD field.

Award Criteria

This candidate should be currently active administrator or ex-officio of a program which is a MARRCH member in good standing and will meet most if not all of the criteria below.

• Effectively demonstrates commitment to the behavioral health field, having served in a strategic or significant role and with at least 20 years of professional experience
• Enhances the success and knowledge of other leaders
• Works across boundaries to develop transformational solutions
• Demonstrates a commitment to collaborating with public or private sector organizations or leaders to address key issues
• Has an interest in pursuing research, teaching, or a particular project that relates to shared leadership or collaborative action to address significant and solvable social challenges

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. Typically, this will not be an annual award. Previous recipients are not eligible for and may not be recognized with this award multiple times. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference.

Award Purpose

This award is given in recognition of a MARRCH member who has made a significant and lasting impact on the field and practice of Substance Used Disorder (SUD) treatment through their professional accomplishments, served the profession over an extended period, has earned the respect and admiration of professional colleagues, and has freely engaged not only contemporaries, but also been committed to maintaining a dynamic connection to all generations of SUD providers.

Award Criteria

Recipients of this award are recognized for outstanding conceptual contribution and fundamental advancement in the field and practice of SUD treatment. In completing the nomination application, the nominator should address the nominee’s commitment citing examples of as many of the following criteria as possible. The nominee has repeatedly demonstrated:

• Writing, speaking, teaching, and delivering public presentations that have significantly contributed to the development of the field, the body of knowledge required for effective SUD Treatment
• Contribution to professional literature (e.g., has published highly respected work; is a frequently cited source in books and journals; has created a body of work that has enhanced the practice of SUD)
• Challenging our way of thinking about the practice of SUD treatment and reinterpretation of existing theory as to enhance understanding of the profession
• Significant client/community impact through the application of SUD theory, principles and practices in providing client centered service
• Commitment to others through teaching, mentoring, writing, speaking, blogging, and sharing information
• Communication of the purpose, principles, values, and the impact of SUD services for the larger world such that the value of SUD services are understood and positively impacts the quality of life for those receiving services, their familiar and the larger community as a whole

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. We aim to present one Lifetime Achievement Award each year yet reserve the right to present a second award when warranted. Previous recipients are not eligible for and may not be recognized with this award multiple times. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference.

Award Purpose

The purpose of the Legislator of the Year Award is to recognize state and federal legislators who have a record of supporting issues related to Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and take an important stand on behavioral health issues during a particular legislative session.

Award Criteria

A current MARRCH voting agency or member can nominate a legislator to be recognized by the association by filling out a nomination form and submitting it to MARRCH. The legislator must be in elected office at the time of the nomination to be eligible for recognition. One letter of nomination shall be submitted for each nominee, and it shall include:

• A description of the voting record, SUD advocacy work, collaboration efforts and other significant contributions to advance MARRCH’s legislative platform
• Displays a desire to better understand and take action to solve the public policy challenges of SUD and behavioral health
• Is an outspoken advocate of SUD and behavioral health issues
• Demonstrates a voting record that supports SUD and behavioral health initiatives
• Has sponsored or authored a minimum of one legislative bill in support of MARRCH’s mission and advocacy priorities
• Has led the passage of one or more legislative bills in support of MARRCH’s mission and advocacy priorities
• Serves on, or is in a leadership position of, a legislative committee, which supports MARRCH’s issues, and positions
• Develops a thoughtful and persuasive argument that shapes the public narrative around an important issue facing SUD providers

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. We aim to present Legislator of the Year Award each year yet reserve the right to present a second award when warranted. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference and be invited to present a short description of their work and why they feel strongly in supporting MARRCH initiatives for SUD providers.

Award Purpose

The Marc Johnigan Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (CPRSS) of the Year Award was established to draw attention to peer recovery support specialist who excel in their positions by rendering quality individual and/or group support services. CPRSS are individuals who have been successful in the recovery process and who help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support workers help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse.

Peer support services can effectively extend the reach of treatment beyond the clinical setting into the everyday environment of those seeking a successful, sustained recovery process.

Award Criteria

The award is given to a CPRRS in accordance with the following criteria and based upon the degree of service and excellence demonstrated by the individual’s actions:

• For diligence and perseverance in serving others in recovery, and for service that is above what is normally required or expected of a CPRSS
• For contributing significantly to the mission advancement, and success of the work performed by CPRSS
• For conduct that brings significant credit and achieves significant accomplishment for the betterment of CPRSS as a critical component to increasing the likelihood of continued recovery.

Strong nominees may also exhibit several of the characteristics listed below:

• Rendered peer support services of a unique or distinctive character
• Ethically and responsibly served others, demonstrating a desire to assist others towards wellness without need for personal gain or recognition
• Provided Peer Support in an exemplary manner, and inspired others towards wellness
• Demonstrates an intense commitment to provide excellent service to peers
• Shares and demonstrates enthusiasm for the mission of peer support and whose performance aligns with the mission of the organization
• Is known in the community as a reliable individual who enriches the lives of those they touch
• Builds strong relationships that support a high level of trust and credibility
• Inspires and encourages personal and professional development in others
• Contributes to the success of a Peer Support initiative that benefits those inside/outside their own team and places emphasis on collaboration within all parts of the recovery community

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. We aim to present one CPRSS of the Year Award each year. Previous recipients are not eligible for and may not be recognized with this award multiple times. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference.

Award Purpose

The designation Physician of the Year is awarded annually to one individual whose extraordinary accomplishments and service in the field of Substance Use Disorder promotes the science of medicine, reduction of stigma, and the betterment of public health. This individual achieves greatness through integrity, research, commitment to the behavioral health and SUD field, selfless service, and community involvement.

Award Criteria

This award is provided based on the following criteria:

• Have demonstrated sustained service for a minimum of five (5) years in SUD
• Demonstrates exceptional and measurable contributions to clinical practice and education od SUD
• Demonstrates a commitment to the clinical excellence of SUD treatment programs
• Exhibits commitment to SUD practice, including advancing and supporting the mission of MARRCH’s mission, vision, and strategic direction
• Demonstrates a commitment to and enthusiasm for the field of SUD
• Demonstrates professionalism in all interactions and in all forums

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. We aim to present one Physician of the Year Award each year. Previous recipients are eligible to receive this award multiple times. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference.

Award Purpose

This award is presented annually at the discretion of the MARRCH President.

Award Criteria

This award’s criteria are determined by the MARRCH President. Most often this award is given to an individual or team that has accomplished some significant goal or reached a major milestone that elevates the SUD field and the individual status in a unique way.

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. We aim to present one President’s Award each year. Previous recipients are not eligible for, and may not be recognized with, this award multiple times. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference.

Award Purpose

This award recognizes individuals who understand that the future is an ever-changing network linked through people, ideas, technologies, and infinite possibilities. It honors the belief that magical things can happen when people with diverse experiences share their ideas and passions in creative collaborative dialogue. It appreciates individuals who are life-long connectors, integrators, and master networkers of people, ideas, and technologies and those who, in very real and tangible ways, create powerful connections between people and ideas, often testing new technological tools and methods.

Award Criteria

Recipients of this award are recognized for serving as networkers of people, ideas, methods, and technologies. In completing the nomination application, the nominator should address one or more of the following, providing examples of how the nominee:

• Connects and networks with diverse individuals
• Weaves and creates intersections between SUD theory and practice and other theory-based and practical disciplines
• Develops and innovates with emerging technologies
• Sustains networks of diverse entities over extended periods of time and/or creates impactful events that attract diverse ideas and people to interact with SUD programs

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. One or two Innovation awards may be presented each year. Previous recipients are eligible to be recognized with this award multiple times if warranted. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference.

Award Purpose

The Distinguished Researcher Award is presented annually in recognition of significant contributions to knowledge or artistic creativity in the field of Substance Use Disorders (SUD) or behavioral health.

Award Criteria

This contribution could be a long-term, cumulative contribution or a single, particularly insightful idea, experiment, application, or interpretation. The selection committee may consider the following criteria in selecting the recipient:

• Demonstrated excellence in research, scholarly, and/or artistic work
• Recognition by professional societies, community organizations or other external bodies
• Contributions to the research environment both locally, nationally, and internationally. This can include the development of major research installations (e.g. a research center), participation in the deliberations of a major research granting agency (e.g. member and/or chair of a grant selection committee), or other prestigious forms of service to the field;
• Contributions to the training and education of highly qualified personnel (e.g.: undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and technical staff).

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. We aim to present one Researcher of the Year Award each year. Previous recipients are not eligible for and may not be recognized with this award multiple times. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference.

Award Purpose

This award recognizes a person who is an industry leader, executive or entrepreneur who has demonstrated their own personal leadership style and is a role model for others in the Substance Use Disorder community.

Award Criteria

This person is seen as someone who is making a significant contribution to the SUD field and serves as a mentor and role model to others. This person exhibits leadership, vision and inspirational qualities that have made a difference in their organization. This person is highly regarded by their peers and teammates for both career accomplishments and quality of life. Recipient will have been in the industry for at least two years and knows how to inspire others while meeting organization business and quality care goals.

Award Description

This award is presented when a worthy recipient is identified. This may or may not be an annual occurrence. We aim to present one Visionary Leadership Award each year. Previous recipients are not eligible for and may not be recognized with this award multiple times. The award is presented at the MARRCH Annual Fall Conference. Award recipients receive a complimentary admission to the entire conference.