County Programs Earn 43 National Achievement Awards

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A program that helps people buy their first home. Another getting veterans in jail back on the right track. The transformation of parking lots into a civic landmark.

They were among efforts that resulted in 43 Achievement Awards the County of San Diego received from the National Association of Counties, which annually honors innovative, effective county government programs that enhance services for residents. San Diego’s awards haul put it among the top three counties in the nation.

“We have talented and dedicated employees here at the County,” said Bill Horn, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “They work hard to continually improve programs and provide excellent services and we are proud that their outstanding efforts are recognized.”

Continuous improvement is an overarching goal reflected in the County’s winning programs. That includes a Planning & Development Services business model improvement program, selected Best in Category for information technology. The program blends technology and operations experience to focus solely on improving departmental performance and the customer experience.

Also among the award recipients: the County’s Waterfront Park in the Parks and Recreation category for turning two parking lots into a 12-acre recreational park that includes a 830-foot-long fountain splash zone, children’s playground, grass fields and gardens for public use.

Another winner was a County program that provides free home visitation services to low-income, at-risk expectant mothers. The First Steps program helps connect them with critical services to ensure prenatal care, parenting classes and childhood nutrition for better outcomes for those children.

Also recognized was a Mandatory Supervision Court program by San Diego County Probation, Sheriff’s, District Attorney, Public Defender, and Court which tailors case management of recently released prisoners along with close monitoring to help the participating felons break the cycle of crime.

Below is the complete list of San Diego County programs in the categories in which the associationrecognized them:

Children and Youth

DA’s Youth Advisory Board Campaigns: “Respect: Give it Get it,” “The Fight” & “Redefine Success”
First 5 San Diego First 5 Steps
Growing Opportunities Garden

Community & Economics

Professional Group Study

County Administration & Management

Integrity in Action Program
Lean Six Sigma – Phase 1 Building Capacity
Office of Business Intelligence
Replacement of Airport Lease Management System

County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy & Sustainability

SMART Building Automation System Project Saves Energy, Lowers Utility Costs

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Veterans Moving Forward
Regional Realignment Response Group (R3G)
Mandatory Supervision Court
Mobile Devices Inspire Effective and Efficient Law Enforcement

Emergency Management and Response

Cyber Disruption Response Planning Annex
AFN Shelter Worker Training Video Project
Risk Communication Plan: Targeted Outreach to Form a Partner-relay System

Employment and Training for County Residents

Food Handler Program Enhancements
Classification Modernization Project
Veteran Outreach Program

Financial Management

Fraud and Risk Management Compliance Program
Standardized Bond Documents Saves Thousands in Taxpayer Dollars
Standardized Countywide Escheatment Process

Health

A Guide to Using Facebook to Prevent Suicide and Reduce Stigma
Using the Affordable Care Act to Increase Healthcare Access for Inmates and Probationers
Legacy Corps – Support for Veterans and Military Families
Adult Protective Services Acutely Vulnerable Adult Protocol
The Alzheimer’s Project
The San Diego Care Transitions Partnership (SDCTP)
The Amazing Race

Human Services