Distinguished Service Award
Since 1988, ACLP has honored the child life profession’s leaders and pioneers with the annual Distinguished Service Award (DSA).
The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor presented by the ACLP Board of Directors, recognizing exceptional leaders for outstanding contributions to the field of child life.
Eligibility
Any Certified Child Life Specialist who has a career of demonstrated leadership and outstanding contributions to the field of child life in any of the following key areas:
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Professional experience: has amassed a body of work consistent with excellence in the profession
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Contributions to the child life profession & ACLP: may include publications, presentations at professional conferences, significant work in academia, education of and outreach to others outside the profession
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ACLP Leadership: committee or task force leadership, board service, etc.
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Long-lasting impact of contributions to the child life profession: development of future professionals/leaders in the field, development of tools or processes emulated by others, willingness to share with others in order to advance the profession, activities which will serve as a legacy within the profession
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Integrity: reputation inside and outside of the child life community
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Visionary: able to formulate and motivate a group toward a clear image of the aspired to future, participates in strategic initiatives to advance the profession
DSA Nomination Process
The following outlines the steps to nominate an individual for the DSA.
Nominations for 2026 will open Summer 2025.
DSA Recipients
The ACLP Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual child life specialist who has demonstrated an exemplary child life career and dedication to the profession.
Read more about all the DSA recipients.
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Identifying Information on Applications
Please ensure that applications adhere to the following guideline regarding identifying information:
The application must not include any personal identifiers, such as:
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Full names (of you, the recommender, or any other individuals)
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Program names
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Institutional names or locations
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Company names or specific job title
The content should focus solely on your qualifications, skills, and experiences relevant to the application, without referencing identifiable details.
Failure to comply with this criterion may result in the denial of your application. We appreciate your attention to this requirement.