NEW PHILADELPHIA − The Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is accepting nominations for the Better Together Awards to recognize and celebrate the victories of its community partners and to honor the people and families it supports, according to a news release.

Nominations will be judged by the Tuscarawas County commissioners. TuscBDD will host a community partners pancake breakfast in March where the awards will be presented.

The awards recognize accomplishments in four categories:

Award categories:

• Ripple Effect Award: This award recognizes a Tuscarawas County business or employer for contributing to the awareness that people with disabilities are crucial members of the workforce and can make an amazing impact in a specific workplace and ultimately throughout the community.

• Diamond Award: This award recognizes a person with developmental disabilities residing in Tuscarawas County for their fearless bravery and efforts to advocate for themselves and on behalf of others to achieve their dreams and encourage others to do the same.

• Standing Ovation Award: This award recognizes a parent, guardian, sibling, or someone who has stepped into the role of family to tirelessly support their loved one with developmental disabilities.

• The Better Together Award: This award recognizes a standout direct support professional working in Tuscarawas County who demonstrates a dedication to improving the lives of the people they have the pleasure to support, while also promoting independence, equity, and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.

Nomination instructions:

• Nominations should be detailed and provide specific examples of their accomplishments/efforts.

• Nominations should explain how the nominee has made an impact in the area in which they are nominated.

• Complete the nomination form and circle the category that best describes your nominee. Along with the form, please include a one-page or less letter describing how the nominee exemplifies the category and why this nominee should win this award.

• Better Together Award Nomination forms are available at https://www.tuscbdd.org/cmsb/uploads/fillable_-better-together-awards-2023.pdf

All submissions will be reviewed as anonymous until selections are made and voting is final. Send completed nominations by Feb. 27 to: ksilverthorn@tuscbdd.org, orTuscBDD, Kerri Silverthorn, 610 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, OH, 44663

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tusc Board of Developmental Disabilities seeks award nominations