2526 Florida TaxWatch Guidance Counselor Awards Program

The Florida Department of the Lottery has entered into a sponsorship contract with the Florida TaxWatch Research Institute, Inc. for the FY 25-26 Guidance Counselor Awards Program, identified by solicitation number SP489. Valued at 25,000 dollars, this pilot program is designed to recognize one outstanding public high school guidance counselor who has demonstrated a measurable impact on student academic success, social-emotional development, and college and career readiness. In addition to honoring excellence in guidance counseling, the initiative aims to promote the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The contractor is responsible for the end-to-end design, development, and implementation of the program, which includes establishing eligibility criteria and administering a county-wide nomination and application process. The selection process will involve evaluating candidates through data-driven performance metrics and coordinating a formal review and judging process to determine the award recipient. This contract remains in effect through June 26, 2026.