The County of San Diego won recognition from the National Association of Counties for 51 programs that improve how government serves the public. The National Association of Counties Achievement Awards are given each year to recognize outstanding, innovative county government programs all across the United States.
“As county government, we prioritize public service and we are happy to get recognition. These national awards highlight the exemplary work of our entire County team, especially the many employees who worked directly in the programs honored,” said Chair Nathan Fletcher, County Board of Supervisors. “2020 served as a trying year for just about everyone and our County employees responded to various needs that arose out of that quickly and effectively. Several of those programs were among those awarded.”
The awards were selected in various public service categories including: “Children and Youth,” “Arts and Historic Preservation,” “Community/Economic Development,” “Criminal Justice and Safety,” “Emergency Management and Response,” “Environmental Protection and Energy,” “Health,” “Human Services,” “Information Technology” and “Planning.”
Among this year’s winners were programs that did the following: provided training to family caregivers of people with dementia, worked with schools to make sure students who have experienced traumatic events are “handled with care,” rezoned a 1940s U.S. military encampment and a historic place of interest with the community’s help so that it can be improved and enjoyed, and created a penalty waiver system for people who were late to pay property taxes due to financial hardship associated with COVID-19.
The complete list of winning programs and the County departments that developed them:
- FIRST: Dementia Capability Through IDEA Behavioral Symptom Management Training – Aging and Independence Services
- FIRST: Boosting Dementia Capability Through Cognitive Screening – Aging and Independence Services
- Aging Roadmap: Creating Thriving Communities for People of all Ages – Aging and Independence Services
- SchooLink – Behavioral Health Services
- Managing Remote Employees Virtual Course – Human Resources
- Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Ergonomic Tips: Working from Home – Human Resources
- Roaming Outpatient Access Mobile (ROAM) – Behavioral Health Services
- Microlearning Series – Behavioral Health Services
- HHSA Central and South Region Homeless Service – Central Region
- HHSA Central and South Region CWS Intern Program with ARTS (A Reason to Survive) – Central Region
- Workforce Training and Development Units – Child Welfare Services
- Returned Mail Scanning Automation – Eligibility Operations Administration
- Live Well Mobile Office Pandemic Response – Central Region
- Regional Hotel Assistance Program – Housing and Community Development
- COVID-19 Early Alert System: Safer at School Early Alert System – Public Health Services
- County Elimination Initiatives – Public Health Services
- San Diego County Perinatal Equity Initiative – Public Health Services
- Public Health Cross Jurisdictional Strategist – Public Health Services
- VitalCheck – Public Health Services
- Whole Genome Sequencing – Public Health Services
- Emergency Access Program Gives Vulnerable Residents Peace of Mind – San Diego County Fire/Fire Protection District
- CHOICE Program – San Diego County Probation
- Handle with Care Program – San Diego County District Attorney
- COVID-19 Inbox Project – Office of Emergency Services
- Emergency Child Care Plan in Response to COVID-19 – Office of Emergency Services
- San Diego County District Attorney Insurance Fraud & Workplace Justice Division – San Diego County District Attorney
- Light Pollution Ordinance – Planning & Development Services
- Camp Lockett Master Plan – Planning & Development Services
- Permit Streamlining and Innovations for Energy Resiliency – Planning & Development Services
- Permit Streamlining, and Self-Certification Program – Planning & Development Services
- Safe Reopening Compliance Team – Planning & Development Services
- Underground Storage Tank Plan Check– Environmental Health
- Drone Monitoring – Information Technology
- Housing Production and Capacity Portal – Planning & Development Services
- Building Inspector Mobile App – Planning & Development Services
- Video Inspection Program – Agriculture, Weights and Measures
- All Hazards Tool – Information Technology
- Virtual Appeal Hearings – Planning & Development Services
- Expansion of Digital and Online Services – Planning & Development Services
- Mobile Workforce: Code Compliance Officers in the Field – Planning & Development Services
- Digital Library Project – Library
- Sweetwater Bike Park – Parks and Recreation
- Estrella Park – Parks and Recreation
- Virtual Recreation Center – Parks and Recreation
- COVID-19 Property Tax Penalty Cancellation – Treasurer Tax Collector
- Marriage Hut – Assessor Recorder County Clerk
- Streamlined Defaulted Penalty Cancellation and Split Process – Treasurer Tax Collector
- JELS Agency Drop Box for Local Law Enforcement – County Technology Office
- 5 Day Challenge – Human Resources
- Trek Across County Trails – Human Resources
- Virtual Employee Wellness Program – Human Resources
The complete list of winning programs can be seen in a searchable database.