Henrico departments, HCPS earn NACo awards for 48 programs

Henrico County’s general government departments and Henrico County Public Schools earned a combined 48 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties for innovative programs and initiatives in 2024.

The total was the most of any county in Virginia for the 20th consecutive year and the eighth most in the country in this year’s competition. With 48 awards, Henrico’s total followed those of San Bernardino County, Calif.; Miami-Dade County, Fla.; Los Angeles County, Calif.; Maricopa County, Ariz.; Howard County, Md.; Cook County, Ill.; and San Diego County, Calif.

NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize groundbreaking programs and initiatives in 18 service categories, including children and youth, financial management, county resiliency, libraries, parks and recreation, and human services.

“For 20 years, we’ve led the commonwealth in these achievement awards. Our employees continue to demonstrate innovation and work ethic each and every year,” Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas said. “I see their energy and dedication every day, and I’m proud to see them recognized for the value they bring to the county.”

The 2025 awards recognize submissions from seven government departments and Henrico County Public Schools. HCPS collected 22 awards; Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services 12; Recreation and Parks five; Henrico County Public Library three; Public Works two; and Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority, Economic Development Authority (EDA), Finance and Public Relations one apiece. Many of the recognized programs reflect collaboration among departments.

The programs, winning categories and their respective nominating agencies were:
 
MHDS
• Pregnant & Parenting Women’s Services (Health)
• Alert Henrico (Criminal Justice and Public Safety)
• Hydration Station (Human Services)
• Substance Use Disorders Mobile Services (Health)
• Bridging Divisions (Children and Youth)
• Expediting Court-Ordered Evaluations (Criminal Justice and Public Safety)
• Mobile Re-Entry Program (Health)
• Building Special Interests and Choice for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (Human Services)
• Regional Recovery Day 2024 (Health)
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (Health)
• Recruitment and Retention (Personnel Management, Employment and Training)
• St. Luke CONNECT Summer Pilot Program (Children and Youth)
 
Recreation & Parks
• Hermitage Enterprises (Personnel Management, Employment and Training)
• Juvenile Detention Outreach (Children and Youth)
• Make it Monday (Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation)
• Science Sleuths (Parks & Recreation)
• Veterans Brunch (Human Services)
 
HCPL
• Portrait of Immigrant Voices (Libraries)
• Native Plants (Sustainability)
• Land Lovers (Libraries)
 
EDA
• Transforming Today’s Office into the Workplace of Tomorrow (Community and Economic Development)
 
SEA
• Cheer & Gear (Community and Economic Development)
 
Finance
• 2024 Regional Government Purchasing Expo (Community and Economic Development)
 
Public Relations
• Pedestrian Safety Outreach (Civic Education and Public Information)
 
HCPS
• Connecting Past and Present: Historical Trades Student Expo (Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation)
• Closing the Skills Gap: Empowering Future-Ready Learners (Children and Youth)
• Elementary Students Design and Build a New School (Children and Youth)
• Equipping Students With the Skills to Adapt, Innovate and Succeed (Children and Youth)
• Fostering Critical Thinking Through Chess (Children and Youth)
• Hands-on Robotics: Inspiring Innovation, Equity and Collaboration in STEM Education (Children and Youth)
• Health and Medical App Shark Tank (Children and Youth)
• Hispanic Heritage Autumn Festival Unites and Prepares CTE Programs (Children and Youth)
• Holman Middle School’s Sensory Spring Experience (Children and Youth)
• Increasing Student Engagement Through Esports (Children and Youth)
• Make It Your Business Competition Fosters Entrepreneurship (Children and Youth)
• Middle School Center for Innovation (Children and Youth)
• Rock Solid: The Spirit of the ACE Center (Children and Youth)
• Saluting Our Future: Celebrating Military Commitment (Children and Youth)
• Specialization Cohort Program: Attracting and Keeping Great Teachers (Children and Youth)
• Bridging Futures: A Community-Driven Pathway to Student Success (Community and Economic Development)
• Electrifying the Current Workforce: Lighting a Path for Future Careers (Community and Economic Development)
• Empowering Seniors to Grab a Slice of Their Futures (Community and Economic Development)
• Forging Connections and Exhibiting Skills: Entrepreneurship and Community Days (Community and Economic Development)
• Springer Preschool: Students Renovating for Students (Community and Economic Development)
• The Career Mega Sale: Zero Percent Down and It Will Pay You (Community and Economic Development)
• A Community Supports the Mental Health and Wellness of Youth and Families (Health).