MNAFEE Awards

​In 2020, the MNAFEE Board of Directors announced the formation of annual awards to recognize the contributions made to the field of early childhood and parent education There are two individual awards and a category for innovative program awards.

​Consider nominating someone or a project for one of the following MNAFEE awards.
​Submission deadline has been extended to April 30, 2022.

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The Lois Engstrom Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has made dynamic contributions to advance the goals and principles of parent education, Early Childhood Family Education, and early childhood programming locally and throughout Minnesota.  

Previous winners of the Lois Engstrom Leadership Award
  • 2020: Given posthumously to Lois Engstrom, accepted by her daughter Kim. Also honored, Betty Cooke for her years of outstanding service.
  • 2021: Beth Archer 
  • 2022: Who will it be? Nominate someone today!​
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Nominees for the Lois Engstrom Leadership Award must:
  • Be a current or past member of MNAFEE.
  • Have five or more years of demonstrating strong leadership in the field of family and early education, particularly as it pertains to parent education, Early Childhood Family Education and/or early childhood programming in public schools in Minnesota.
  • Show a career-long commitment to the field of family and early education, particularly as it pertains to parent education, Early Childhood Family Education and/or early childhood programming in public schools.
  • Have made a significant impact on the lives of young children, parents and/or families, and/or professionals in the field.
  • Have had a statewide impact through their efforts to improve the lives of children, parents and/or families, and/or professionals in the field.​
​View and submit a nomination today.
The Friend of the Year Award is presented to an individual, group, or organization who has made significant contributions to the fields of parent education, Early Childhood Family Education, and/or early childhood programming in public schools in Minnesota and thereby has been a champion for young children, parents and/or families, and/or the publicly funded programs that serve them. The award is presented to acknowledge MNAFEE's appreciation of contributions to children, parents and families and/or the publicly funded programs that serve them.
 
Examples of nominees could be (list is not all-inclusive): state legislator, author, vendor, group that presents to parents or professionals, advocacy group, agency or organization that works with children, parents, families (e.g. museum, theater, hospital).

Previous winners of the Friend of the Year Award
  • 2020: Susan Hoch, Oleanna Books
  • 2021:  Linda Vukelich from MNAFEE
  • 2022: Who will it be? Nominate someone today!​​

Nominees for the MNAFEE Friend of the Year Award must:
  • Reside or have resided in Minnesota or does business in Minnesota.
  • Have made a statewide impact on the lives of young children, parents and/or families, and/or the publicly funded programs that serve them.
  • Have improved the quality of life for young children, parents and/or families, and/or the publicly funded programs that serve them.
View and submit a nomination today.
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The Innovative Programming Award is presented to at least two outstanding projects that exemplify the vision/mission of MNAFEE and are innovative approaches to addressing a community need through  cooperation and teamwork amongst individuals and/or organizations, and use of resources. The project could be a one-time event or an ongoing activity that is associated with a parent education, Early Childhood Family Education and/or public school preschool in Minnesota. It's focus could be on children, parents, families or professionals.
 
At least one award will be awarded to a district designated as small (defined as zero to age four population of less than 2500) and to a district designated as large (defined as zero to age four population of more than 2500). 

Projects nominated for the MNAFEE Innovative Programming Award must:
  • Include at least one MNAFEE member.
  • Exemplify the vision/mission of MNAFEE:  
    Vision:  All families have access to comprehensive, high quality parent education and early childhood programming in public schools.
    Mission:  The mission of Minnesota Association for Family and Early Education (MNAFEE) is to promote, advocate for, and strengthen parent education, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), and early childhood programming in public schools.
  • Address a community need.
  • Demonstrate cooperation between individuals and/or organizations.
  • Enhance the lives of young children, parents, families or professionals.​
View and submit a nomination today.