The Jim Parker Leadership Award, formerly called the Community Health Services Leadership Award, was created to recognize individuals who had made significant contributions to Community Health Services at the state and local levels through their commitment to CHS development and their leadership in promoting the philosophy and purposes of CHS. In 1992 the State CHS Advisory committee changed the name of the CHS Leadership Award to the Jim Parker Leadership Award.

The award is given in memory of Jim Parker, who was the director of the Community Health Services Division at the Minnesota Department of Health from 1984 until his untimely death in 1991. Jim Parker is remembered by those who knew him as a person of vision, wit, and hope. Under his leadership, the Minnesota Department of Health and the local public health system developed a cooperative partnership exemplified by a problem-based planning process, a strong state advisory committee, and an extensive communication network. The members of SCHSAC and the Commissioner of Health honor his work and his memory by presenting this award.

Eligibility requirements include: Current State CHS Advisory Committee Member or Alternate Member, Local Community Health Services Staff, Local Advisory Committee Member, Elected Official, or Volunteer.

The Jack Korlath Partnership Award was created in 2001 to honor the memory of Minnesota Department of Health employee Jack Korlath. Jack Korlath was an epidemiologist who was instrumental in developing the Disease Prevention and Control Common Activities Framework, and who was a leader in bringing state and local public health professionals together to work constructively on a wide variety of issues. Jack's collaborative efforts focused on the prevention, control, and investigation of infectious disease and on public health response to natural and manmade disasters/emergencies. The Jack Korlath Partnership Award is given to those who demonstrate a commitment to developing and maintaining close collaborative relationships between state and local public health agencies in Minnesota.

Eligibility requirements include: Local Public Health Staff, or State Health Staff.

The Commissioner's Award for Distinguished Service in Community Health Services was created in 1992 to acknowledge long-term contributions, involvement, achievement and commitment to CHS. The recipients of this award have demonstrated this kind of long-term commitment, and have contributed to advancement within the public health field.

Eligibility requirements include: Current State CHS Advisory Committee Member or Alternate Member, Local Community Health Services Staff, Local Advisory Committee Member, Elected Official, Volunteer, or Past State Health Staff.

The Lou Fuller Award for Distinguished Service in Eliminating Health Disparities is given to an individual or organization who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to eliminating health disparities in populations of color and American Indians. Eligibility for the award is open to community organizations, elected officials, local CHS staff, volunteers and state health staff.

The Award for Outstanding Dedication to Local Public Health was created in 1998 to recognize locally elected officials who make a significant contribution to promoting and implementing local public health in Minnesota. This award reflects the dedicated spirit of county commissioners whose significant contributions have defined community health services and local public health today. The first Award for Outstanding Dedication to Local Public Health was presented in memory of Kal Michels, Wilkin County Commissioner and 1990 SCHSAC Chair.

Eligibility requirements include: Local Elected Official, Former or Retired Elected Official, or Appointed Representative to a Community Health Board or Local Board of Health.

Certificates of Recognition were created in 1985 as a way to recognize individuals as well as groups, including public health partners (such as emergency medical services, physicians, and others) for their contributions to public health.

Eligibility requirements include: Current State CHS Advisory Committee Member or Alternate Member, Local Community Health Services Staff, Minnesota Department of Health Staff, Local Advisory Committee Member, Elected Official, or Volunteer.