CASC Awards Program

One of CASC's priorities is to ensure that counseling leaders in the state of California are recognized. Through our annual awards program, we honor counselors, counseling programs, administrators, counselor educators, and advocates for their achievements and dedication to the field of school counseling.  Nominations open every year from February 1 - April 15, and award recipients are honored at the annual convention and expo every October.


Program Overview:

  • CASC Donald G. Hays School Counselor of the Year
  • Counselor Educator of the Year
  • Counselor Advocate of the Year
  • Exemplary School Counseling Program of the Year
  • Exemplary District School Counseling Program of the Year
  • Administrator of the Year
2026 CASC Annual Awards

CASC Donald G. Hays School Counselor of the Year Award


It is time to submit your nominations for the annual CASC DONALD G. HAYS SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR AWARD. Winners will be recognized at the annual CASC Conference, which will be held this year at the Riverside Convention Center on October 7, 2026.


The CASC School Counselor of the Year (SCOY) will be put forth as the ASCA SCOY nominee and must be willing to submit the national application for the ASCA SCOY. A requirement for ASCA SCOY is recognition at the state level. Additionally, the CASC SCOY will be an ex officio board member of CASC from October 2026 through December 31, 2027.


  • Nominations must be received by April 15, 2026
  • Candidates will be notified of their eligibility by April 30, 2026
  • Eligible candidates must submit final applications and their videos by May 31, 2026


Please view the following link for nomination criteria and to nominate:

https://casc.schoolcounselorawards.org/scoy/


Nominate a SCOY Today!

Other Awards

It is also time to submit nominations for the 2027 CASC Awards. Winners will be recognized at the annual CASC Conference, which will be held this year at the Riverside Convention Center on October 7, 2026. Nominations and supporting documentation must be received by April 15, 2026.



Please view the following link for nomination criteria: Nomination Criteria for Other Awards


Nominate by going to https://casc.schoolcounselorawards.org/scoy/other-awards


Awards Program Calendar


  • February 1: Nomination Portal opens for all awards
  • April 15: Deadline for all SCOY nominations
  • April 15: Deadline for all nominations and supporting documentation for all other awards
  • April 30: CASC SCOY nominees notified of eligibility
  • May 31: Deadline for final SCOY applications and supporting videos and documentation
  • August/September: Award winners are announced
  • October: Annual Awards Dinner
  • Man and woman on stage near podium. Woman speaks, gesturing. Backdrop reads

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Man at podium with woman beside him, accepting an award. A screen behind them shows the man's photo and name.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Woman speaking at podium, with a screen behind her displaying

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Man speaking at a podium with woman next to him, both in formal attire, red background.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Lori Woodley, named Counselor Advocate of the Year, speaks at podium with screen of her photo.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Woman on stage at awards event, screen displays

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Two women on stage at an awards ceremony, one speaking at a podium, the other standing.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Four people on stage at an awards ceremony. One speaks at a podium; others stand, holding an award.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Man at podium,

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

Accepting Award Nominations until April 15th at 11:59pm

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Award Nomintion Window Closed

Questions should be directed to CASC Awards Committee Chair, Dr. Rebecca Pianta, rebecca.pianta@schoolcounselor-ca.org