Counselor Recognition and Grant Information
USCA Grants
Grant Applications Applications are open NOW!
Applications are due no later than November 10, 2023! Please submit your application NOW!
Click HERE to begin your application!
Counselor Awards!
Each year School Counselors can be nominated for an award in 3 different areas to help recognize the hard-working school counselors we have in the state of Utah.
Counselor of the Year honors the best of Utah's seasoned counselors (5+ years of experience) who are running a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program.
Rookie of the Year honors the best of Utah's new counselors (1-4 years of experience).
Program of the Year honors the best of Utah's School Counseling Programs.
TIMELINE:
The Nominations for 2023-24 will open during National School Counseling February 5 -9th.
February 14 is the due date for nominations.
Winners and finalists will be recognized in May.
USCA School Counselor of the Year
The School Counselor of the Year Award (5+ years experience) honors the best counselors who are running a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at either the elementary, middle, or high school level. They are working to provide the best outcomes for each of their students, are leaders in their counseling centers, and a positive influence in their school.
Nominations will be narrowed down to 3 finalists. The USCA Counselor of the Year winner will have the opportunity to go on to represent Utah in Washington, D.C. at the national level with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
You will also need to know:
Your nominees email, work phone, years of experience, school district, school, principal, and principal's email.
USCA Program the Year
Our best school counselors work to provide great counseling programs.. This award is designed to recognize those stand out programs who lead the way in comprehensive school counseling programs at either the elementary, middle, or high school level.
Nominations will be narrowed down to 3 team finalists. These 3 finalists, including the USCA Program of the Year winner, will be recognized in May.
USCA Rookie of the Year
The Rookie School Counselor of the Year Award honors the best of our new counselors (1-4 years of experience) at either the elementary, middle, or high school level. These rookie counselors bring new ideas, new enthusiasm, and change for the better in their counseling departments, while still learning from other counselors' experiences.
Nominations will be narrowed down to 3 team finalists. These 3 finalists, including the USCA Rookie of the Year winner, will be recognized in May.
You will also need to know:
Your nominees email, work phone, years of experience, school district, school, principal, and principal's email.
2022/23 Counselor Award Recipients
Rookie of the Year
Launa Julander McKinley Elementary
Counselor of the Year
Patty Nielson Mount Ogden Junior High
Program of the Year
Elise Hanson Mt. Pleasant and Fountain Green Elem
National School Counselor Week
National School Counselor week will be held from February 5-9, 2024.
The 2024 theme is "School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused."
Please keep your eyes out for further details on the events that we have planned for the Week of Recognition for all School Counselors in the State of Utah.
Program of the Year
Our best school counselors work to create a counseling program that works with 100% of students. This can be either a team of counselors at a school or just one counselor if there is only one at a school. This award is designed to recognize those stand out programs that lead the way in comprehensive school counseling programs at all levels.