Ramstad/Kennedy Annual Award

The Award

RAMSTAD/Kennedy

The first annual Ramstad/Kennedy Award was presented in 2008 during a National Recovery Month reception at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) State Systems Development Program (SSDP) conference.

In subsequent years, we have witnessed with appreciation as Single State Agencies (SSA) Directors have increased their critical role in supporting and promoting recovery and Recovery Month activities, materials and awareness in their states and within their agencies.

The Ramstad/Kennedy Award is presented annually to one Single State Agency Director to recognize their outstanding support for recovery.

This award honors the extraordinary efforts and passionate leadership of the Honorable Jim Ramstad (R-MN-deceased 2020) and the Honorable Patrick Kennedy (D-RI-ret.) in the development, understanding and promotion of public policies to bring equity to care for people with substance use disorders and their impacted children and other family members.

Award will be presented on Thursday, September 3, 2026 in Washington, DC at the Recovery Month Luncheon.

Recovery Month KickOff Luncheon

Nomination Criteria

A Single State Agency Director who has:

01

Provided outstanding leadership and innovation

In promoting the goals of National Recovery Month during 2024, including support of the permanent tagline, “Hope is Real. Recovery is Real.”

02

Strengthened and expanded Recovery Month

Activities within their agency and throughout other state agencies.

03

Provided support to strengthen and expand

Recovery Month activities and programs that support individual and family recovery throughout their state.

04

Expanded the number and impact of

Recovery Month activities in their local communities.

To Be Presented at the Recovery Month Luncheon

Nomination Closes on Thursday, July 30th

2026 Ramstad/Kennedy Annual Award Nomination Form

Nomination Details

Please use the below section to provide details for the person being nominated.
Name(Required)
Address
Briefly describe the activities or initiatives undertaken in 2025 – and their impact – which demonstrate outstanding leadership. Include efforts to engage all state departments to acknowledge and host activities for National Recovery Month and additional efforts that fostered awareness and recovery support for children and families impacted by a loved one’s substance use disorder. 
Please include links to any reports and/or press releases for the above mentioned activities and/or initiatives.

Please use the below section to provide your contact information.

Name
Address