Every child needs a champion—an adult who will never give up on them.
— Rita F. Pierson
Thank You For Submitting Your 2026 Impact Advocate Award Nominations!
The Impact Advocate Award aims to celebrate and recognize a remarkable Floridian in their career who is positively shaping the future of the state’s young children, teens, and families. This award is presented to an individual who is actively engaged as an advocate, working diligently on behalf of their local communities or statewide, initiating programs or policies that positively affect the status and well-being of others. Congratulations again to our 2025 Impact Advocate Award recipient, Dr. Jose L. Dotres of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS).
The Impact Advocate Award was created to celebrate the champions advocating for young children, teens, and families right now. These individuals are amid their professional journeys and working towards creating a lasting impact within their organization, community, or across the state.
- Anyone can submit a nomination; you may nominate yourself
- Nominees must be well recognized, known for their leadership, and demonstrate a commitment to advocating for public policies that improve the lives of Florida’s young children, teens, and their families
- Legislators or elected officials currently in office are not eligible for this award
The 2026 recipient will be honored on Monday, February 23, 2026. The public announcement will take place during our annual Children’s Week Florida Advocacy Dinner and Awards Ceremony. The recipient will be invited to take part in various activities and speaking engagements throughout next year’s Children’s Week Florida events in Tallahassee, Florida.
Nominations are reviewed by the Children’s Week Florida Advocacy Awards Committee, which is composed of former award recipients, community partners, and dedicated advocates. All nominations will be pre-screened to ensure eligibility. If a nominee’s qualifications align better with a different award category (Chiles, Impact, or Youth), the nominator will be contacted regarding any recommended changes.
2026 Impact Advocate Award Nominees
