Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Awards

Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Awards is sponsored by National PTA. Awards recognizing PTAs for outstanding efforts in diversity and inclusion.

Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Awards | National PTA Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Awards Recognizing Outstanding Achievements PTAs everywhere represent parents, caregivers, educators and communities from all walks of life, which enables us to best achieve PTA’s mission to make every child’s potential a reality.

In 2020, National PTA adopted guiding beliefs and definitions ( English and Español ) that articulate our commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion: Diversity is our strength. Collaboration must be inclusive. Equity drives our mission.

“ The National Congress of Mothers, irrespective of creed, color or condition, stands for all parenthood, childhood, homehood. ” Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Awards The Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Awards honor PTAs that have put these beliefs into action.

These awards recognize PTAs that best demonstrate outstanding achievement in the areas of diversity and inclusion, as well as efforts to end discriminatory practices. Three awards are given out annually at the National PTA Convention: One to a district/council/region or community PTA (e.g., special education PTAs, pride PTAs, school feeder pattern PTAs, etc.) 2026 Jan Harp Domene Award Winners Edwin Aldrin PTA (Schaumburg, Ill.)

Challenger Middle School PTSA (Huntsville, Ala.) Challenger Middle School PTSA has made intentional efforts to ensure families who have not historically been engaged feel welcomed and included in their work. Recognizing that language barriers often prevented Spanish-speaking families from being able to participate fully, they created a Hispanic Relations role on their PTSA board.

The role focuses on building trust, ensuring communications are translated and personally inviting families to events. At their school open house, the PTSA had a dedicated table specifically for families who speak Spanish, giving them a safe and welcoming place to ask questions, receive resources in their preferred language and connect directly with bilingual PTSA leaders.

In addition, the PTSA provides bilingual communication so that families always have access to information. They also highlight programs that ensure families facing financial hardship know they are supported and valued. As a result of their efforts, attendance of Hispanic families at PTSA events has increased and families facing financial hardship feel more supported.

Their PTSA leadership also now better reflects the diversity of their school community, strengthening communication, trust and family engagement as well as their ability to advocate for equity, inclusion and student success. By removing barriers and creating welcoming entry points, Challenger Middle School PTSA continues to build a culture where every family knows they belong and their voice matters.

Redlands Special Education PTA (Redlands, Calif.) Redlands Special Education PTA has focused on reaching families who have historically been left out of both PTA and school activities—particularly families of children with disabilities and families who are English Language Learners.

To support disability inclusion, the PTA created the Sensory Dispensary, a mobile thera-play unit that provides sensory-friendly, therapeutic activities at schools, carnivals and districtwide events. This allows children with sensory needs to fully participate in activities that might otherwise be overwhelming, while creating space for students with and without disabilities to play together.

To support language access, the PTA launched a Translation Initiative to ensure all flyers are translated into Spanish, provide live Spanish interpretation at workshops and purchase translation devices to accommodate up to 44 languages in their district. They also began outreach at cultural events like Día de los Muertos to meet families where they are.

These efforts have ensured that their PTA is more reflective of the families they serve, while making families who have historically been excluded feel seen, supported and encouraged to join PTA events and leadership.

Certificates for PTA members named in the application Recognition at the 2026 National PTA Convention Potential opportunity to be a speaker at the Diversity and Inclusion Celebration during the 2026 National PTA Convention Frequently Asked Questions PTAs who have made intentional efforts toward diversity, inclusion, equity and justice.

Some examples (not an exhaustive list): PTAs that have identified which demographic groups are missing from their membership and program participation and have a plan to address the barriers that prevent them from being engaged.

PTAs whose membership and program participation has become more reflective of the diversity of the communities served (in race/ethnicity, languages, income, religion, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, etc.). PTAs who have ensured their focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in membership is ongoing and evolving based the changing demographics and communities they serve.

PTAs that have designed new programs or changed existing programs based on diverse community needs and interests. PTAs that have developed program models and approaches to reduce disparities and achieve equitable outcomes. PTAs that have developed consistent relationships with community members from identities/backgrounds currently or traditionally underrepresented.

PTAs that have shifted their norms and practices so that diverse lived experiences are welcomed and can meaningfully contribute. PTAs that have assessed and removed or are working to remove the structural barriers that keep underrepresented groups from seeking or attaining leadership in PTA. Get more ideas about what you are already doing or could be doing using National PTA’s guidance for local leaders ( English and Español ).

Local PTAs in good standing as defined by the state in which they are chartered. District/council/region and community PTAs in good standing as defined by the state in which they are chartered or, if part of a state structure, as defined by National PTA Standards of Affiliation. State PTAs in good standing as defined in the National PTA Standards of Affiliation.

The diversity, inclusion, equity and justice efforts described in the application must have taken place July 2024 through June 2025. Each application must include all the required items. PTAs that have won a Jan Harp Domene Award in the past three years are ineligible to win in 2026.

In your applications, you will need to answer the below questions. You can leave a narrative response no longer than 250 words or attach a video submission no longer than three minutes. Which dimension(s) of diversity (race, income, ability, language, sexual orientation, etc.) has been particularly important to have represented in your membership and/or leadership and why?

What has your PTA done to be more reflective of this diversity? What efforts did your PTA make to help families who have historically not been engaged in your PTA feel more included? What steps has your PTA board taken to ensure that it is using decision-making processes that are fair and reflective of new and diverse perspectives?

Explain the outcomes and impact of your efforts, including the evaluation methods (qualitative and quantitative). In addition to the narrative questions, applicants will be required to share information on racial, gender and linguistic demographics of students in their PTA community and Board. See FAQs for ideas on where to find this data.

After the application deadline: National PTA conducts a check on good-standing status and other eligibility requirements for all applicants. Judges (members of National PTA’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach Committee) score applications and deliberate to decide on winners. Internal approvals and communications for winners take place.

Applicants will be notified of their status in December. National PTA strives for a fair and transparent process to determine the awardees. This includes: All applications will be anonymized for scoring.

Judges are discouraged from providing help or advice to applicants. Judges will recuse themselves from scoring a category and/or specific applications where there is a conflict of interest and/or if that judge is from the same state as an applicant. Three judges will score each application.

After being notified that they have won, awardees will be contacted by a member of National PTA’s Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach Committee about how they will be involved in the 2026 National PTA Convention. A public announcement of winners, including a press release, will occur in April or May. Jan Harp Domene Award FAQ