The ETDA established the Fred Coe Award in 2001 when the decision was made to
publicly thank Fred Coe for his dedicated efforts in helping to establish and
maintain a community system for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The
ETDA agreed to seek out and recognize individuals who have had an expansive and
positive impact upon individuals with intellectual disabilities through their
service to State Government. The criteria for selecting a Fred Coe Award recipient is patterned after the award’s namesake. It is a straight forward, sensible and noble undertaking. The ETDA seeks out individuals who have served or are serving in State Government but prevent themselves from becoming an uncompassionate bureaucrat. The Fred Coe Award recipient must see those in need of service as an extended member of their family and collaborates with community agencies in meeting their needs. The person must make notable difference in the lives of service recipients. The only way one can achieve this distinction is by operating from a basis of compassion and empathy and employing every possible innovative modality to create meaningful, sustainable and deliverable provisions within the community system. Assisting East Tennessee community agencies, through a genuine partnership of state and private endeavors, in accomplishing the mission of improved services is the primary focus of a Fred Coe Award candidate.
There are many good State employees who have the right heart for the service sector and the East Tennessee Director’s Association has made it a point to purposefully take the time and seek out those individuals so they may be reminded that their actions and character are noticed and appreciated. Previous recipients of the Fred Coe Award are: