Equality Florida Institute Wins Prestigious 2025 NASP Champion for Children Award

Equality Florida Institute Wins Prestigious National Award:
Named 2025 Champion for Children by the National Association of School Psychologists for Advocacy in LGBTQ+ Education and Mental Health

St. Petersburg, FL — Equality Florida Institute has been selected as the national winner of the 2025 National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Champion for Children award. The prestigious national honor follows Equality Florida having been selected by the Florida Association of School Psychologists (FASP) as the one nominee from Florida this year.

The recognition is all the more striking and important coming at a time when LGBTQ+ youth and adults across the country, and especially in Florida, have become the targets of unprecedented attacks on their very existence. "It's an incredible honor to be chosen as the recipient of this year's award, especially at a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and especially transgender young people are facing relentless attacks," said Stratton Pollitzer, Deputy Director of Equality Florida. "Amidst all of the hateful rhetoric our LGBTQ+ young people are living through on a daily basis, this honor stands as a beacon of hope for them and their families and a reminder that they are loved and valued.”

Equality Florida is deeply honored to receive the 2025 Government and Professional Relations (GPR) Champion for Children Award by NASP—one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to advancing the educational and mental health needs of children and youth. This prestigious award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated outstanding advocacy in improving education and mental health services for children, youth, and their families.

Equality Florida was formally recognized at the 2025 NASP Annual Convention in Seattle, WA, on February 19, 2025.

“As a school psychologist, receiving recognition from NASP was especially meaningful, and I was deeply honored to accept this award on behalf of our team,” said Dr. Noelle DeLaCruz, Equality Florida’s Senior Manager of Health Equity. “The need for mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth and families has never been more urgent. This recognition underscores the importance of providing affirming, trauma-informed care and advocating for best practices that ensure every child has access to safe schools, supportive homes, and quality care—so they can truly thrive.”

Pictured Above: Peter Faustino, President of NASP; Dr. Noelle DeLaCruz, Senior Manager of Health Equity for Equality Florida; and Monica Oganes, Florida’s NASP Delegate

Due to stigma, discrimination, and harassment, LGBTQ+ young people are at much higher risk than their peers for a range of negative outcomes, including being bullied, skipping school, family rejection, homelessness, and suicide. Equality Florida has spent decades partnering with school districts and mental health professionals to establish lifesaving policies and programs for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. To date, the program has trained over 40,000 educators and school-based mental health professionals from all of Florida's 67 school districts. Because of this work, 2 million Florida public school students are protected by policies to reduce harassment, discrimination, and violence. LGBTQ+ support groups have been established at hundreds and hundreds of high schools and middle schools and a statewide referral network of hundreds of agencies with LGBTQ+ expertise has been formed.

This award is a powerful testament to the collective effort of our dedicated team, volunteers, and supporters, who have worked relentlessly to uphold the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ youth and families. The impact of Equality Florida's work extends beyond Florida, serving as a national model and inspiring similar initiatives across the country.

“As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing policies and practices that safeguard the mental health and well-being of all youth, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” added Pollitzer.

Below is a press release from the Florida Association of School Psychologists celebrating this prestigious award for Equality Florida.

[BEGIN FORWARDED PRESS RELEASE]

FASP Partner Wins 2025 NASP
Champion for Children Award:
Celebrating Equality Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2025

The Florida Association of School Psychologists (FASP) is pleased to share that Equality Florida has won the 2025 National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Government and Professional Relations Champion for Children Award. This esteemed award honors individuals and organizations that have supported political action and advocacy on behalf of children to improve education and mental health services for children, youth and their families.

FASP collaborated with Florida's NASP Delegate to nominate Equality Florida because it is a steadfast advocate for the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth in Florida. Through their tireless efforts, they have advanced policies that safeguard and affirm the rights of LGBTQ+ students in educational and healthcare settings across the state. Their advocacy aligns seamlessly with NASP's strategic priorities, including enhancing mental health services, promoting inclusive policies, and fostering safe, supportive school environments.

In the face of unprecedented legislative actions threatening the basic protections of LGBTQ+ youth in Florida, Equality Florida has remained steadfast in their mission. Their Safe and Healthy Schools (SHS) program has effectively engaged with over 80 superintendents and school board members, impacting nearly half of the state's school districts. This has resulted in the implementation of inclusive policies that protect close to 2 million students, reducing emotional distress, violence, and harassment.

A notable aspect of Equality Florida's advocacy is its strong collaboration with the Florida Association of School Psychologists (FASP) in providing essential training and co-hosting initiatives that prioritize the needs of LGBTQ+ youth. Their unwavering advocacy has had a profound impact on the lives of countless children and families, making them a deserving recipient of the 2025 NASP GPR Champion for Children Award.

"Equality Florida's comprehensive and sustained efforts help create safe, inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ students," said FASP President Dr. Joe Latimer. “Through systems change work, Equality Florida ensures that our educational, healthcare, and community settings are equipped to stand up and protect our LGBTQ+ young people when challenges arise. FASP values its partnership with Equality Florida and is so pleased to see their work recognized at the national level."

The 2025 NASP Government and Professional Relations Champion for Children Award will be presented at the NASP Annual Convention awards ceremony. For more information about Equality Florida, please visit https://www.eqfl.org.

[END FORWARDED PRESS RELEASE]