Responder of the

Year Awards

The Michigan Crisis Response Association (MCRA) is committed to helping teams recognize and commend outstanding work in crisis response in Michigan. In order to further this goal, each year MCRA requests for nominations for the CISM Team Responder of the Year. Eligibility Criteria:  Full member of an active CISM team member in Michigan.  A member of the team from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.  Outstanding service accomplishments.  Only noteworthy contributions that occurred should be included in the nomination.  A team member cannot be selected in consecutive years.  Team members that receive pay directly for CISM and/or debriefing services are not eligible.  Nominee must be a team player. It is not necessarily the number of CISM interventions completed but the quality of their work.  Nominee must be trained and also utilize the ICISF model.  Nominee must be a member in good standing with their local team. They must also pursue recruitment of new members. They need to be able to identify their own personal boundaries, i.e., “When to step back and take care of self." Nominations  Any individual can make nominations including: team leaders, team coordinators, team members, and those who were served by the responder nominated.  Nominations must be submitted by August 15, 2026. Selection Process  All nominations will be sent to MCRA.  All nominations will be reviewed and selections made by the Responder of the Year Committee.  Committee selections will be completed after August 31, 2026. Award  Plaque inscribed with the recipient’s name and date.  The recipient will have tuition paid to the MCRA 2027 training conference. Award Presentation  Recipient announced at the MCRA Conference.  With their permission, the recipient’s name and picture posted on MCRA website. NOMINATING INFORMATION Nominations are for outstanding service by an active member of a Michigan CISM team during the eligibility period. Noteworthy contributions that occurred before or after the time period should not be included in the nomination. Nominations should be complete and precise. The Responder of the Year Committee will favor nominations that detail the contributions of the nominee. Remember that there is no way to know whether specifics are missing by accident or because they do not exist. If you believe a team member has made an outstanding contribution, give examples of what he/she has done. WHILE LISTING A LARGE NUMBER OF EXAMPLES IS HELPFUL, IT CAN BE JUST AS IMPORTANT THAT THE NOMINEE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE OR TWO THINGS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE. Letters supporting the nomination by a person other than the individual making the nomination are strongly suggested. These may be sent under separate cover. Outstanding service can be of many kinds. This award can be used to recognize excellence in team leadership and response coordination. Exceptional contributions to the community in the form of skilled CISM service delivery would also apply. Team members who are reliable, dependable, and support their team in a variety of other ways may also be recognized. Outstanding service might also include contributions by individuals who demonstrate initiative in overcoming barriers to the team being of service to their targeted population(s).  Nominations are not judged on how well you write. They are judged on the facts presented. Please make your nomination understandable.  There is no limit to the number of nominations you make.  Your nomination will be substantially supported by including letters of recommendation from other individuals who are also aware of the nominee’s contributions. All nominations must be postmarked by August 15, 2026, and mailed to the Michigan Crisis Response Association at: MCRA Responder of the Year 7373W Riverview Dr Manistique, MI 49854 or submit by email to: info@mcrainc.com Click here for the Responder of the Year Nomination Form