County Programs Earn 43 National Achievement Awards
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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
- Implementation of Permanency Roundtables
- Young Master Chef
- Embedding Eligibility Workers in Food Banks
- Parenting Time Opportunities for Children
- A Regional Approach to Administration of First-Time Home Buyer Programs
- Taking Program Integrity to the Next Level
Information Technology
- Land Use & Environment Group Business Case Management Program
- Electronic Master File Request
- Performance Improvement Team (PIT)
Parks and Recreation
- County of San Diego Waterfront Park: Parking Lots to Scenic Showpiece
Personnel Management, Employee Training and Employee Benefits
- Deferred Compensation Retention Campaign
- Electronic Training Evaluations
- Learning Management System Upgrade
Planning
- Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) Program
Nationally, awards are given in 21 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide.