2025 SUD Champions of Change Awards Nomination
The Provider Advisory Committee (PAC) established the SUD Champions of Change Awards to recognize and commend the outstanding work in the fields of SUD prevention, harm reduction, and/or
treatment. These awards are dedicated to honoring both individuals and organizations that have made a significant and positive impact on those affected by SUDs within the community.
Nominations for these awards will be evaluated by the PAC, focusing on the accomplishments achieved by nominees during the 2024-25 period.
Deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Click here for online application.
Click here for PDF form application.
The PAC Awards recognizes outstanding work done by SAPC providers. It celebrates people and agencies that positively impact individuals and communities affected by substance use disorders.
- 2024 Award Winners
- Frontline Hero
- Juan Mendez (SUD Counselor, Volunteers of America Los Angeles-Central City Recovery) was recognized for his efforts in creating safe, supportive spaces where patients feel
understood, facilitating group sessions on anger management and domestic violence, and advocating for patients to help them successfully complete the program.
- Leadership
- Aurora Morales (Center for Harm Reduction Program Manager, Homeless Health Care Los Angeles) was recognized for her work leading multiple outreach teams in Skid Row to
distribute harm reduction supplies and reversing over 360 overdoses in 2024.
- Community Impact
- Cri-Help was recognized for integrating harm reduction into its SUD treatment approaches through the SPARK program and providing care to a monolingual Spanish-speaking
community, supporting language justice in SUD care.
- Collaborative Spirit
- Van Ness Recovery House was recognized for facilitating cooperation on SAPC and DHCS projects, including the DHCS MAT Policy and SAPC Capacity Building efforts.
- 2023 Award Winners
- Change Agent
- Annette Coleman, CADC-II (SUD Addiction Counselor, Didi Hirsch) was presented with the Change Agent Award for her work providing care and support for people with substance use disorders
residing in Skid Row supportive housing.
- Leadership
- Thomas Farnham, MD (Medical Director, BAART Boyle Heights) was presented with the Leadership Award and was recognized for his efforts to develop and operate a 24/7 opioid treatment program.
- Community Impact
- Child and Family Center was presented with the Community Impact Award and was recognized for identifying innovative ways to help clients connect to resources and paths towards
healing. Nikki Buckstead (Chief Executive Officer) and Tiffany Rogers, CADC-II, LMFT (Program Manager III-Specialty Programs) accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
- Collaborative Spirit
- Beacon House was presented with the Collaborative Spirit Award and was recognized for sharing resources and mentoring other agencies, fostering collaboration that leads to better care
for their clients. Archie Hoggan, JD, MS, (Executive Director) and Jonathan Higgins, CATC (Chief Compliance Officer) accepted the award on behalf of the organization.