2024

 

Henrico County’s general government departments and Henrico County Public Schools earned a combined 51 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for innovative programs and initiatives in 2023. Henrico’s total is the most of any county in Virginia for the 18th consecutive year

Henrico’s award-winning programs are listed below:

 
 
*2024 VACo Winner

 

Teen Summit RVA
County Manager’s Office

Teen Summit RVA is a first-of-its-kind annual leadership summit designed by teens, for teens. Created to amplify youth voices, the summit addresses topics selected by students – such as arts and entertainment, gun violence and safety, substance use, mental health, and equity within the school district. Students had the opportunity to share their lived experiences with experts and each other during thought-provoking conversations.

 

Taking it to H.E.A.R.T
County Manager’s Office/ HEART Committee

Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team was created to advance the county’s environmental goals, promote sustainability and mitigate local impacts of climate change. This is a multidisciplinary committee with internal and external stakeholders collaborating on all aspects of environmentalism. In less than two years, H.E.A.R.T. has passed local legislation, secured a significant federal grant, and planted more than 240 trees – this is just the beginning.

 

Small Business Boost
Henrico Economic Development Authority

Henrico EDA’s understanding of the significance of small businesses and the challenges they face in gaining market exposure with limited resources led to the creation of the Henrico Small Business Boost (Boost) program with local online publication partner, Henrico Citizen. Boost provides qualifying small businesses in Henrico with complimentary, three-month, advertising packages through Henrico Citizen. Within the first six months, Boost businesses captured nearly three million web impressions and have benefited from additional name recognition.

 

Pop Up Mentoring Program (PUMP) for Small Business
Henrico Economic Development Authority

Henrico EDA developed the Pop-Up Mentoring Program (“PUMP”) in collaboration with SCORE, the country’s largest association of volunteer business mentors, to support aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. PUMP is a monthly “pop-up” mentoring event that connects Henrico businesses with volunteer experts. In addition to receiving complimentary consultation, PUMP participants are connected to other available resources through EDA and its partners.

 

Live Your Best 2023 Campaign
Henrico Economic Development Authority

Henrico EDA developed the “Live Your Best” 2023 campaign to highlight the numerous advantages and benefits to living and working in Henrico County. The campaign focused on four main elements: Small, Women- and Minority-owned businesses, Quality of Life, Libraries, and EDA’s 55th anniversary. The campaign increased awareness of Henrico’s high quality of life, outstanding infrastructure and thriving businesses climate on both a local and global level.

 

DEC Internship Program
Department of Emergency Communications

This internship program, in collaboration with the Community College Workforce Alliance, offers a pathway for individuals seeking to pursue a career as 911 dispatchers. The program combines an Emergency Telecommunicator Certification course with a paid internship, providing hands-on training and immersive learning experiences. Since its inception in 2020, the program has successfully hired and trained 30 interns, with 13 transitioning to full-time employment.

 

911 Wellness Initiative
Department of Emergency Communications

This comprehensive wellness program is designed to address the unique stressors public safety dispatchers face and is designed to support their physical, mental and emotional well-being. The program established a dedicated wellness room, provided access to mental health services and peer support teams, and implemented revised work schedules to enhance work-life balance.

 

Tactical Dispatch Program
Department of Emergency Communications

This program enables the Tactical Dispatch Team, which specializes in remote, atypical dispatch environments, to meet field responders on scenes of large, planned, resource-intensive environments and operate with proficiency. Tactical dispatchers use modified equipment to support field responders and a unified command structure.

 

Enhanced Engagement Process for Remote Business Taxpayers
Department of Finance, Business Section

Staff worked with multiple agencies to put together a comprehensive solution to facilitate completely remote processes for business taxpayers to access, file, pay and update their accounts. The program has led to increased engagement of business taxpayers, with portal filings increasing 39% and accounting for 35% of all business tax filings. The program has enhanced convenience for business taxpayers and produced savings for the county.

 

Henrico County Virginia Transparency and Efficiency 21st Century Contract Management
Department of Finance

Henrico’s Master Contract Application is a collaborative effort between Purchasing and IT that addresses critical challenges in contract management. This innovative solution includes a public facing website that streamlines the process of updating accurate contract and improves contract accessibility and transparency.

 

Interview Preparation Program
Division of Fire

This program, implemented as part of a new firefighter application process, is designed to equip candidates with essential skills and confidence to excel in their panel interviews. It offers resources such as interview tip handouts, interview coaching videos and an open discussion forum with a dedicated question and answer segment. The program has helped several candidates successfully navigate the interview process and gain employment with Henrico Fire.

 

Regional Water Response
Division of Fire

This program was developed to enable faster, safer and more efficient responses to emergencies on the James River by the Division of Fire and other agencies in the region. The program utilizes GIS technology, common terminology and regional Emergency Communications Centers to dispatch the three closest localities with appropriate resources for river response.

 

Hazardous Incident Team (HIT) Awareness Program
Division of Fire

This program builds awareness of the county’s Regional Hazmat Team and its capabilities for toxicology students enrolled at the VCU School of Medicine. Students discuss medical emergencies and treatments related to hazardous materials exposure and get hands-on experience with tools and equipment, gaining a better understanding of hazardous materials response operations. The program also strengthens the working relationships of emergency responders with physicians in the community.

 

Expansion of “Whole Health” to include Cancer and Cardiovascular Screenings
Division of Fire

This program, a pioneering initiative developed in collaboration with Hampton Roads Ultrasound, provides complimentary screenings for active employees, retirees and family members of the Division of Fire. Emphasizing early detection, the program identifies potential cancer and cardiovascular abnormalities, addressing firefighters’ elevated health risks. Free screenings eliminate financial barriers, ensuring universal access and fostering holistic health within the workforce.

 

BH Equity Working with the LGBTQIA2S+ Community
Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services

This project aims to increase inclusion of the LGBTQIA2S+ youth population in Henrico and surrounding areas, as well as to raise awareness about the specific challenges and barriers faced by queer youth and adults. The effort collaborates with local mental health service providers, queer-owned businesses and community organizations to provide training to staff and connect youth and families to inclusive and affirming resources in the area.

 

Comfort Boxes
Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services

An effort to support mental health needs of youth, including those experiencing self-harm behaviors, this program couples hands-on coping skills and “comfort boxes” with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychoeducation. The program is designed to help youth regulate emotions and avoid self-destructive behaviors and offers something immediate that can be touched, held and seen to serve as an anchor for a young person during upheaval and distress.

 

Substance Use Overdose Response Program
Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services

Developed in collaboration with Fire, Police and other county agencies, this program provides a coordinated and efficient response to substance misuse throughout the county. A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist responds to post-overdose scenes, provides peer counseling, participates in community training, distributes overdose protection kits, and responds to calls.

 

Strengthening Supervisory Intercultural Competence 2024
Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services

This program focuses on the continuous growth of MHDS staff in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. A supervisory group of 65 individuals, from front line supervisors to directors, completes assessments and undergoes coaching sessions and targeted training to learn about and improve their intercultural effectiveness as leaders.

 

Forensic Discharge Program
Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services

This program provides intensive case management and reentry services to individuals incarcerated in a Henrico County jail who are diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness. Case managers provide individualized services to participants during their incarceration and continue to provide intensive service provision for 30 to 90 days post-release to ensure participants’ resource and treatment needs are met. Program participants are linked to long term services in the community for continued treatment and support.

 

Suicide Prevention Series
Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services

This initiative provided training and education about suicide and suicide prevention to staff, teachers, students and families of New Kent High School. The series provided a safe space for youth and adults to discuss the sensitive topic of suicide, learn to recognize signs and symptoms, learn skills to communicate with someone who is struggling, and become familiar with community resources.

 

Conflict Resolution Groups for Youth in Juvenile Detention
Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services

A collaboration between MHDS and Henrico Juvenile Detention, this program is designed to address a pressing need for violence prevention among young people by helping them develop conflict-resolution and communication skills, improve their decision-making abilities and reduce aggressive behaviors.

 

CARE (Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement Training)
Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services

This program is a universal evidence-based approach designed to help adults interact with young people. Using the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy model, the program works to improve relationships and reduce mild to moderate behavior problems in young people. It is trauma-informed and can be provided to most adults who work with children of all ages.

 

Mobile Response Team
Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services

The Mobile Response Team sends a police officer and a mental health clinician to respond to 911 calls involving an individual experiencing a mental health crisis, with the intent of decreasing arrests and involuntary hospitalizations. The team also incorporates multi-disciplinary outreach and engagement visits with individuals, extending assistance and resources beyond the moment of crisis.

 

Cook & Book
Henrico County Public Library

This program is designed to connect the community through food and reading while also providing local businesses an opportunity to share new recipes and food. Local chefs can introduce diverse foods and kitchen techniques and participants are able to explore foods and recipes supported by titles they can take home. The program offers a social learning environment with open discussion.

 

Connecting Communities with Quilts
Henrico County Public Library

Designed to honor the variety and practice of quilt-making and recognize its innately collaborative nature, this program enabled users to create paper quilt blocks and build community quilts. The effort reinforced the concepts of people of all ages and backgrounds passing on knowledge and customs and coming together to create one beautiful, functional whole.

 

Hamilton Glass Mural Workshop
Henrico County Public Library

This program worked with local artist Hamilton Glass and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to produce community artwork based on the library’s mission statement, “to promote reading and lifelong learning, connect people with the information they need, and enrich community life.” Participants spent several hours with Glass, learning the process of planning large-scale artwork. Participants curated murals for the Varina, Libbie Mill, and Tuckahoe Area libraries.

 

“Birds, Butterflies, and Biodiversity”
Department of Public Utilities (Keep Henrico Beautiful)

Designed to fill a void of educational programs focused on native plants, this initiative developed a 500-square-foot demonstration garden with native plants and insects in a habitat otherwise lacking them. The garden provides a lesson on the importance of biodiversity and native species and connects interested students and teachers with their local government.

 

Studio at the Springs
Department of Recreation and Parks

Designed to support art programming, this effort converted a lesser-used space into a studio classroom with the intent of exposing the community to various art forms such as painting, glasswork and woodwork. The introductory-level classes encourage residents to explore new avenues of creativity and self-expression.

 

Canoeing with the Community
Department of Recreation and Parks

This program was developed to give residents an entry-level paddling experience within parks they visit regularly. Staff provide on-site safety instruction and training while leading on-water instruction and demonstrations. Equipment is provided onsite and advance registration is not required, removing barriers and enabling more park patrons to participate.

 

Henrico United
Department of Recreation and Parks

This event, held at St. Luke Apartments, was designed to bridge the gap between Henrico government agencies and communities that often face challenges accessing essential resources. The event enabled county agencies to share resources and information with community members while offering a variety of activities and refreshments to engage young people and their families.

 

Glen Lea Telehealth Clinic
Henrico County Public Schools

Glen Lea Elementary provides students access to telehealth care in a school setting with quick response to medical needs. Through telehealth technology, educators and community health providers collaborate to support students’ health and wellness with medical and dental services that allow children to remain in school and reducing the number of missed school days for non-emergency medical conditions.

 

Becoming Kings
Henrico County Public Schools

“Becoming Kings” program is to cultivate more prominent leadership among male youth in their communities by teaching them to think critically and comprehend themselves and the world around them. The Office of Equity, Diversity and Opportunity hopes to support these students in embarking on manhood through an intensive process of self-reflection, community and global analysis and an awareness of their own ideas and ambitions.

 

Próximos Pasos (Next Steps)
Henrico County Public Schools

“Próximos Pasos (Next Steps)” event, exemplifies a transformative approach to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion intended for Hispanic/Latin students and families — featured a bilingual panel, cultural elements from local family owned businesses, and resource fair that offered insights into college and military options and career paths. The program supports Hispanic students as they navigate employment, enrollment and enlistment opportunities, and promotes equity and diversity.

 

Black History Month Poetry Slam
Henrico County Public Schools

Students now, more than ever, require the ability to see themselves reflected in their learning environments, and as part of its Cultural Heritage Series, in collaboration with the Henrico NAACP and Too Smart 2 Start, hosted its first annual Black History Month Poetry Slam. The theme was “I Have a Dream, Too.” Middle and high school students submitted and perform original poems, addressing such themes as Black joy, the current social, intellectual and cultural identities of African Americans, Black identity, resilience, struggle, professionalism, academia and activism.

 

Educational Excursion: Aviation Day
Henrico County Public Schools

HCPS Office of Equity, Diversity and Opportunity has made a concerted effort to provide educational excursions for students to experience life-ready opportunities for learning. The office partnered with the Capital Region Airport Commission to organize an educational trip for a group of high school students to tour Richmond International Airport and gain firsthand experience of the careers offered by the airport at the Aviation Career Showcase event.

 

Building Tomorrow’s Teacher Pipeline
Henrico County Public Schools

Teacher Apprenticeship is a two-year program offered at the ACE Center at Hermitage designed for high school juniors interested in pursuing a career in education. It is a dual-enrollment program that allows high school students to learn teaching fundamentals and explore the education profession while earning college credit.

 

Generative AI Initiative: Preparing for a New Digital Age
Henrico County Public Schools

Embracing the integration of generative AI in education aims to enhance teaching and learning while preparing students for an AI-driven future. HCPS developed a comprehensive plan to personalize learning, enhance creativity, foster critical thinking, and optimize organizational efficiency. Schools ensured the initiative would focus on empowering students and educators to integrate and use technology in the evolving education landscape.

 

Microcredential Program
Henrico County Public Schools

The Microcredential Program introduces an on-demand, tailored approach to professional development offering more than 50 learning opportunities for educators to deepen their expertise in a competency-based educational model. This program aligns with the division’s strategic plan, notably advancing academic excellence and educators’ recruitment, retention, and recognition.

 

Student Government Day Program
Henrico County Public Schools

Student Government Day connects high school seniors with professional mentors in General Government or Public Schools for a firsthand look at the operations of the county government, school system and courts. The program is a hands-on way to cultivate students’ awareness of their role in their community and how they can apply the knowledge, skills and attributes they’ve developed as students to participate actively in local government.

 

Teacher Licensure Cohort Program
Henrico County Public Schools
The Teacher Licensure Cohort Program, is a proactive and innovative approach to addressing the acute teacher shortages across the school division for provisional teachers to earn a full, renewable Virginia teaching license in a structured, expedited program.

 

Expanded ESL Summer Academy
Henrico County Public Schools
With the rapidly rising population of English-learners HCPS Language Instruction Education Program launched a new summer program for newcomer English-learners in all grades. English-learners grew to over 4,000 with many coming from countries dealing with extreme poverty or civil unrest. The summer program offered the opportunity to learn English through scaffolded academic content instruction and enrichment classes, including physical education, music, art, and technology.

 

Combating Absenteeism before It Starts: McKinney-Vento Team Summer Cookouts
Henrico County Public Schools
To increase early identification and help prepare students experiencing homelessness for school, the McKinney-Vento team planned and facilitated three summer engagement events at hotels across the county designed to assist families with transportation, school supplies, clothing, shoes, hygiene products and connecting with service providers.

 

Language Instruction Education Program Microcredential Courses
Henrico County Public Schools
Language Instruction Education Program Department has created two “microcredential” courses to help teachers better support the unique needs of English-learning students. The goals give instructional staff the training necessary to meet the linguistic needs, vocabulary development and differentiation needed to support English-learners and provide the training necessary for current classroom teachers who wish to switch into the field of language instruction education.

 

Teacher Fellow
Henrico County Public Schools
The Henrico Teacher Fellow program, a pioneering part to foster academic excellence and professional development in schools to strategically position highly effective classroom teachers in dual roles — as educators and mentors. Teacher Fellows dedicate a portion of their day to classroom teaching and the remainder to guiding and supporting first-year and provisionally licensed teachers with assisting in lesson design, delivery and assessment, enhancing student engagement through robust tier one instruction and co-teaching.

 

Preparing Life-Ready Students in Elementary School
Henrico County Public Schools
Greenwood Elementary School hosted its second annual PRIMETIME RVA which is a designed competition to empower students to be go-getters, decision makers, creators, self-starters and dreamers. The goal is to equip our life-ready leaders with the durable and soft skills needed to thrive outside school walls.

 

Students Build Race Car at Richmond Raceway
Henrico County Public Schools
HCPS’ auto body, auto technology, precision machining, diesel technologies and welding programs had the opportunity to team up with local business partner, Richmond Raceway and help build a street legal Toyota Camry from the ground up with West Coast Customs. Within 48 hours, the car was transformed from bare bones to a running “street legal” car.

 

Winter Wonderland
Henrico County Public Schools
A student-led holiday event that offers connection and involvement for students with disabilities.
The goal of the program is for students to work with other students who are part of the division’s integrated services program with disabilities that include cognitive, physical, developmental and/or mobility impairments. The students come from various HCPS middle and high schools. The event is student-driven and involves games, activities, snacks, and this year even included live music by a student playing the saxophone.

 

Trade skills applied to memorialize Veterans and First Responders
Henrico County Public Schools
Students gained practical learning experiences when supporting a community-based effort to create a veteran’s memorial at J.R. Tucker High School. Students in the masonry, and horticulture and landscaping programs applied skills of installation of the brick pavers, and then worked with the horticulture and landscaping students to plant bushes and mulch the area.

 

Reenvisioning Hallways
Henrico County Public Schools
The Oak Avenue Complex and now serves as the home of several HCPS programs. The Division of Family and Community Engagement repurposes a third of the building to create a community school to provide resources to support students and families. Summer Building Trades Program help redesign hallway space using the former high school building and providing new vision for the Division of Family and Community Engagement.

 

Behavioral Health Interpreter Training Program
Henrico County Public Schools
The Behavioral Health Interpreter Training Program is designed to equip adult English-language -learners with the training & opportunity to leverage their multilingual abilities and become professional behavioral health interpreters in a clinical setting.

 

Sparking Interest into Fire Prevention Careers
Henrico County Public Schools
Part of the HCPS mission to prepare students to be graduated, enrolled, enlisted/or employed the Department of Workforce and Career Development partnered with the Virginia Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) to design ways students could be exposed to the various careers in the fire prevention industry.

 

PreSchool Sign
Henrico County Public Schools
HCPS ACE Center early childhood education program replaced the 10-year-old wooden entrance sign for the Springer Preschool Academy. Students used their newly learned masonry skills to help the school and enhanced their classroom learning.