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2026 Wisconsin Substance Use Summit Award Nominations

Recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations doing primary prevention and overdose prevention work

The Wisconsin Substance Use Summit is August 5-6, 2026.

The planning committee for this event wants to recognize individuals and organizations doing outstanding primary prevention and overdose prevention work. 

Awards in five categories will be given at this year's event:
  • Leaders of the Next Generation: Outstanding Youth Advocate for Substance Use Prevention
  • Protecting the Pond: Outstanding Substance Use Prevention Coalition
  • Catalyst for Change: Outstanding Partner in Substance Use Prevention
  • Beyond the Call to Action: Outstanding Substance Use Prevention Professional
  • Meeting People Where They Are: Outstanding Advocate for Overdose Prevention
A panel will review and score each nomination to determine who will be recognized in each category.

You can save your nomination and come back to finish it later by selecting "Save and Continue Later" at the top of your screen on the nomination page.

The nomination deadline is 11:59 p.m. May, 3 2026.

If you have any questions about the nomination process, email Alex Berg at alexandria.berg@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Information about each award

Leaders of the Next Generation: Outstanding Youth Advocate for Substance Use Prevention
  • What is the purpose? To recognize youth for their leadership in developing and supporting substance use prevention initiatives that empower their peers to live happier and healthier lives.
  • Who is eligible? Wisconsin residents ages 12 to 18.
  • What are the requirements? Nominees should demonstrate kindness and positivity while encouraging their peers to participate in substance use prevention activities. The focus of the nominee's work should be on helping their peers make healthy choices that can lead to healthy lives. They should be passionate in delivering creative and innovative programs that inform and protect the well-being of their peers with a vision of a brighter future for everyone.
  • Note: All youth nominated will be awarded with certificates that will be mailed to them. Nominees with the top scores from the nomination review committee will be recommended for a spotlight during this year's event provided the nominee gives permission for their name and work to be highlighted. 

Protecting the Pond: Outstanding Substance Use Prevention Coalition
  • What is the purpose? To recognize a substance use prevention coalition for their efforts to build healthy communities.  
  • Who is eligible? Wisconsin-based substance use prevention coalitions.
  • What are the requirements? Nominees should demonstrate consistent success implementing substance use prevention activities. Their work should be built on readying the community for change and delivering creative and innovative programs to address local community needs. Nominees should have a record of acting as a strong community partner that advocates for substance use prevention at all levels. 

Catalyst for Change: Outstanding Partner in Substance Use Prevention
  • What is purpose? To recognize an organization that has made contributions to the field of substance use prevention in their community.
  • Who is eligible? Organizations based and operating in Wisconsin (schools, faith-based organizations, youth serving organizations, health care providers, businesses, media companies, etc.)
  • What are the requirements? Nominees should demonstrate consistent success implementing substance use prevention activities. This work should be built on readying the community for change, then delivering creative and innovative programs to address community needs. Nominees should be a changemaker in their community dedicated to supporting and leading activities that have a lasting impact. They improve the quality of life in their community and are committed to collaborating with other organizations to achieve improved community health outcomes. 

Beyond the Call to Action: Outstanding Substance Use Prevention Professional
  • What is the purpose? To recognize a substance use prevention professional for their efforts and contributions to prevent substance use while empowering their community to live happier and healthier lives.
  • Who is eligible? Wisconsin residents employed in the field of substance use prevention for at least six months.
  • What are the requirements? Nominees are visionaries that advocate for a brighter future in their communities. They exhibit a collaborative approach that includes proven practices to prevent substance use. They are exceptional at engaging community members and empowering them to be the change they want to see in their communities. They help lay the foundation for sustainable practices to prevent substance misuse in their communities.
     
Meeting People Where They Are: Outstanding Advocate for Overdose Prevention
  • What is the purpose? To recognize an individual in the overdose prevention field implementing programs and policies designed to reduce overdose deaths by keeping individuals who use drugs safe and healthy.
  • Who is eligible? Any Wisconsin-based individual working in overdose prevention.
  • What are the requirements? Nominees demonstrate a commitment to overdose prevention fundamentals by engaging community members participating in these services in ways that honor their autonomy. The focus of the nominee's work should be on helping their community make safer choices to lead healthy lives while meeting people where they are at. They should be passionate about delivering creative and innovative services that inform and protect the well-being of each individual they serve while creating a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Note: This online form is setup to accept one nomination per session. If you wish to submit multiple nominations, complete this form multiple times. You can submit multiple nominations for the same category. 
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