Henrico received the most NACo awards of any Virginia county for the 21st consecutive year. A total of 56 NACo Awards were won by our general government agencies and Henrico County Public Schools. Henrico County Public Schools won a total of 22 NACo Awards.
No Tax on Overtime Employee Dashboard
Henrico Finance / Human Resources / Information Technology
The FLSA Overtime Reporting Dashboard is a county‑developed tool designed to help non‑exempt employees navigate the complex “no tax on overtime” deduction introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. By transforming a full year of payroll and timekeeping data into an accurate, employee‑ready calculation of FLSA‑qualified overtime, the dashboard eliminates hours of manual reconciliation and provides clear guidance ahead of the 2026 employer mandate. Built collaboratively by IT, HR, and Finance, the tool improves accuracy, reduces confusion, and supports operational efficiency by reducing internal employee phone support calls and emails.
Fixin’ To Go Home
Henrico Police Division
The Henrico County Police Division implemented a multidimensional program, Fixin’ to Go Home, achieving significant results regarding animal transfers, adoptions, and live release rates by utilizing proactive social media strategies, increased collaboration with the Henrico Humane Society, a growing volunteer program, and innovative event practices to achieve an 82% increase in adoptions in 2025 compared to the previous year. In addition, the Fixin’ to Go Home program resulted in a 40-50% decrease in humane euthanasia.
Special Events Unit
Henrico Police Division
Henrico County’s Special Events Unit integrates Police and Fire personnel into a centralized team responsible for reviewing, coordinating, and managing special events to ensure public safety across all events countywide. The unit was created in response to significant growth in event attendance, ranging from Recreation and Parks events serving up to 25,000 residents to major NASCAR events drawing more than 45,000 attendees. Through standardized planning, shared operational awareness, and risk-based staffing, the Special Events Unit improves resource coordination, strengthens emergency preparedness, and ensures consistent public safety oversight for events of all sizes, resulting in more predictable operations and enhanced community safety.
Historically Speaking
Henrico Public Library
Historically Speaking is a collaborative lecture series developed by Henrico County Public Library and Henrico County Recreation & Parks, History Division, to connect residents with the people, places, and events that shaped their community and the nation.
The Auction of Arbitrary Art
Henrico Public Library
The Auction of Arbitrary Art is an innovative teen financial literacy program that transforms the library into an auction house. Participants receive a set budget of mock currency and bid in real time on donated works of art, guided by library staff serving as auctioneers and curators. Designed to build practical money management skills, the program challenges teens to evaluate value, weigh opportunity costs, and make strategic spending decisions under pressure.
Based on a True Story
Henrico Public Library
Based on a True Story is a dynamic lifelong learning program that explores real historical events that inspired works of fiction. Led by a Mobile Library Services team member, each session examines a popular novel, uncovers the compelling true events behind it, and connects participants to related library materials for further discovery. The program travels to senior living communities, libraries, and lifelong learning organizations throughout the county.
Historic Career Conversations
Henrico Public Library
Historic Career Conversations is a workforce development series that connects Henrico County teens and tweens with professionals in historic trades and preservation fields. Through interactive panel discussions hosted at Henrico County Public Library branches, students engage directly with archaeologists, preservation specialists, skilled trades professionals, grant writers, and others working in history-related careers.
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Henrico Community Revitalization
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund is Henrico County’s response to the affordable housing crisis that is affecting the entire nation. Everything from its dedicated funding source, to the flexibility of the application, to the streamlined delivery of funds demonstrates the unique and creative approach Henrico has taken to designing this program. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund represents what a locality can do to tackle issues of housing affordability if they embrace unconventional sources of funding and public-private partnerships.
Employee Home Purchase Assistance program
Henrico Community Revitalization
The Henrico County Employee Home Purchase Assistance Program is an innovative tool to attract and retain a high quality workforce. Employees may receive up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance after one year of full-time service, and a commitment to remain employed with Henrico County for an additional 5 years.
Solar Access for Low Income Residents
Henrico General Services (Sustainability Division)
In order to assist Henrico residents with greater access to sustainable technologies and to help reduce their energy bills, the County secured $5 million to provide residential solar to low-income households as part of a data center rezoning. The program, Solar Access Henrico, launched in Spring 2025 to bring this commitment to fruition. Specifically, the program purchases and installs solar systems at residents’ homes provided their household income is at or below the area median income level. There is no cost to the homeowner for the solar system and they get to keep the money saved on their monthly electric bill.
Catalyst Business Academy
Henrico Economic Development Authority (EDA) / Public Library (HCPL)
The Catalyst program is a free, interactive workshop series designed to guide entrepreneurs and business owners through the stages of building and growing a business. It is offered in partnership with local experts and mentors. The program aims to equip participants with practical skills, mentorship, and networking opportunities that enhance business readiness, strengthen small business success, and contribute to the county’s broader economic growth and vitality.
Aging Actively Mobile Library Partnership
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services (MHDS) / Public Library (HCPL)
The Aging Actively Committee, through the Empower Henrico Taskforce, partnered with Henrico County Public Library’s Mobile Library to bring medication misuse education and safe disposal resources to older adults in senior living communities. Through monthly outreach, medication disposal pouch distribution, REVIVE overdose response training, and a quarterly “Aging Actively in Henrico County” newsletter, the program meets residents where organic community connections matter. Since launching in January 2025, the initiative has strengthened community ties, reduced risks related to polypharmacy and unused medications, and improved access to behavioral health and aging resources.
The Oak
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services (MHDS) / Public Schools (HCPS)
HAMHDS and HCPS partnered to create a program where school counselors at HCPS are offered the opportunity to advance their professional growth by receiving supervision toward licensure. In return they provide free counseling services to youth at The Oak Avenue complex.
ADOS-2 Assessment Clinic to Expand Equitable Access to Care
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services
Families seeking autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessments through private providers routinely face extended waiting times and high out of pocket expenses, delaying diagnosis and access to medically necessary interventions, school supports, and developmental disability waiver services. To address long wait times and limited access to autism diagnostic evaluations, Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services (HAMHDS) established an in-house Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) clinic.
B.R.I.D.G.E.S
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services
The program creates inclusive experiences where youth build positive peer relationships across ability differences while developing empathy, communication, and teamwork skills. Core objectives include fostering comfort in interacting with peers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, practicing inclusive communication, and providing meaningful out-of-school engagement. BRIDGES is a collaborative effort between CONNECT, a county prevention initiative serving high-risk youth, and Henrico’s Developmental Services Spectrum Support Team.
General District Behavioral Health Docket
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services
The Henrico County General District Behavioral Health Docket (BHD) is a specialized court-supervised treatment program for individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) whose illness contributed to their criminal charges. The program aims to enhance public safety, reduce recidivism, and improve participants’ quality of life through evidence-based treatment, supervision, and judicial oversight. Since its launch in May 2024, the BHD has admitted eight participants, graduated two, maintained a 0% recidivism rate among graduates, and demonstrated strong collaboration across multiple county agencies.
Outreach Case Manager
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services
The constraints of managing a complex caseload and administrative demands preclude mental health treatment providers from doing some of the non-traditional outreach efforts that may be necessary for the individual to remain engaged. It was this need that led our agency to designate a full-time mental health case management position specifically focused on outreach and engagement to help some of our community’s most vulnerable obtain and maintain the mental health services that they so desperately need. Through the initiation of this position, we connected with many individuals that otherwise would have been unlikely to be successfully served.
Partnering Nursing Students with DD Day Programs
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services
Hermitage Enterprises, a program dedicated to serving adults with developmental disabilities, provides a distinctive opportunity for individuals to engage with members of the nursing profession within a familiar environment rather than an often-overwhelming healthcare setting. Students engage individuals to develop and implement targeted health education, fulfilling clinical requirements outside of traditional acute care settings. This collaboration facilitates a deeper understanding of the nurse’s role in population-focused care. By leveraging available resources and applying a holistic, evidence-based approach, students learn the unique needs of the developmental disability community while the individuals gain useful knowledge to expand their knowledge and level of personal healthcare.
Wise Guyz 2.0
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services
Wise Guyz 2.0 is an out-of-school time prevention and mentorship program implemented through a partnership between Henrico County Prevention Services and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The program serves African American middle and high school males in Henrico County who are exposed to risk factors such as poverty, community violence, substance use, and limited access to positive male role models. Facilitated monthly in 2.5-hour sessions, members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity serve as mentors, facilitators, and trusted adult leaders, providing culturally responsive guidance and support.
Wise Guyz Lunch Program
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services
The Wise Guyz Lunch Program is an innovative prevention initiative developed through a partnership between Henrico Prevention Services, Henrico County Public Schools, and the Henrico Office of Family Engagement. Designed to reach male elementary and middle school students during the school day, the program delivers a structured six-week curriculum during lunch periods, eliminating barriers to participation while maximizing engagement.
Improving Behavioral Health Equity in Rural Communities
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services
Rural communities face significant disparities in access to behavioral health and substance use treatment services. To address these disparities, the Providence Forge satellite office launched Same Day Access (SDA) in August 2025 offering predictable weekly access to care. SDA is an evidence-informed walk-in service delivering immediate screening, comprehensive clinical and risk assessment, and rapid linkage to appropriate services.
Post Crisis Peer Engagement Program
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services
The Post-Crisis Peer Engagement Program, launched by Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services (HAMHDS) in June 2024, embeds certified peer recovery specialists (CPRS) within crisis services to provide structured follow-up outreach after behavioral health crisis evaluations. Developed by peer staff and integrated into crisis workflows, the program bridges the transition from acute crisis response to ongoing community care. Overall, the program increased post-crisis service engagement and decreased gaps in services after experiencing crisis intervention.
Spread the Love
Henrico Outreach & Engagement
Spread the Love is a county-wide initiative that aims to foster community connection between Henrico residents and older adults living in long-term care communities, while helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation among seniors. Community members are encouraged to make Valentine’s Day cards for individuals in long-term care communities. More than 25000 cards have been distributed since the program’s inception in 2021.
Combating Ageism Training in Emergency Services
Henrico Outreach & Engagement
The Combating Ageism in Emergency Services training was developed in response to the significant community impacts of ageism and the lack of training available to emergency service providers. This training aimed to foster an understanding of how ageism impacts Henrico and the health outcomes of our residents, increase awareness of ageism in healthcare, explore myths about aging, and share practical strategies to support older adults in Henrico. The post-training survey demonstrates that this low-cost, easily replicable training is effective in supporting practice change and increasing provider knowledge.
Vector Surveillance and Control Elementary Outreach Program
Henrico Public Works (Environmental Services Division)
Henrico County’s Vector Surveillance and Control team launched a formalized elementary outreach program that aligns with Virginia Standards of Learning to educate students on mosquito biology and disease prevention. By utilizing interactive themes like the “Mighty Mosquito Mission,” the initiative transforms students into “Mini Agents” who identify and eliminate standing water at home, extending the county’s public health reach into high-risk neighborhoods. This scalable, low-cost model has reached nearly 10,000 students, fostering long-term community resilience against vector-borne illnesses through data-driven strategic targeting and multimodal engagement.
Arrive Alive
Henrico Public Works (Transportation Division)
Arrive Alive Henrico is a data‑driven safety initiative that analyzes crash trends, engages the community, and coordinates across agencies to reduce severe roadway injuries and fatalities. Supported by nearly $15 million in federal SS4A Implementation Funds awarded in December 2025, the program enables Henrico County to advance high‑impact safety projects and move swiftly from planning to implementation. It now serves as a strategic roadmap guiding targeted investments, multimodal improvements, and measurable progress toward long‑term crash‑reduction goals.
Dorey Group Exercise Renovation
Henrico Recreation & Parks
Henrico County Recreation and Parks responded to rising demand for fitness and wellness programming in Varina by converting an unused historic classroom, vacant for 12 years, into a dedicated group exercise room at Dorey Recreation Center. Previously, classes held in shared spaces created scheduling conflicts, reduced rental availability, and strained custodial resources with frequent room “flips.”
Forest Faces and Mud Monsters
Henrico Recreation & Parks
This program provides an opportunity for participants to engage meaningfully within a park setting while deepening their understanding of the surrounding natural resources. Through the thoughtful and creative use of found, natural materials, individuals design a non-permanent public art installation that harmonizes with the environment. The project emphasizes environmental awareness, artistic expression, and community connection, resulting in a temporary display that both respects the landscape and sparks curiosity among park visitors in the days that follow.
Free Group Exercise Pass
Henrico Recreation & Parks
In Fiscal Year 2025, Henrico County Recreation and Parks implemented a strategic shift in its fitness class registration model, transitioning from a traditional pre-registration system to a flexible Fitness Class Access Pass format. This change addressed long-standing issues with manually managed waitlists and underutilized resources due to no-shows. The Access Pass allows patrons to attend classes on a first-come, first-served basis using a free annual pass, eliminating pre-registration and reducing administrative burden.
Health and Fitness Expo
Henrico Recreation & Parks
The Health and Fitness Expo, launched in October 2023, is a free annual event designed for seniors aged 50 and older to promote healthier lifestyles through education and engagement. The Expo provides a comprehensive wellness experience, focusing on physical, emotional, and mental health. Seniors connect with community vendors and local organizations offering valuable resources, materials, and giveaways.
Remote Telemetry Unit Program
Henrico Recreation & Parks
Henrico County Recreation and Parks is modernizing park and facility operations through remote telemetry units (RTUs) to prevent costly restroom sewer backups and reduce labor-intensive manual inspections. Previously, failures were detected only after overflows occurred, resulting in hazardous conditions and expensive repairs. RTUs provide real-time monitoring, automated alerts via e-mail/SMS, and remote control of pumps and valves, enabling immediate response and minimizing downtime.
Standardized Training Infrastructure Program
Henrico Recreation & Parks
The Front Desk Training Infrastructure Program was developed to standardize and modernize training for recreation facility front desk staff. The program provides modular, Section 508-compliant training resources covering reservation software (ActiveNet), Microsoft communication tools, and customer service standards established by Recreation Services staff. Designed for staff operating in a fundamental front desk capacity, the program transforms institutional knowledge into accessible video and visual learning modules.
Trunk or Treat
Henrico Recreation & Parks
In October 2024, the Henrico County Division of Recreation and Parks held its first Trunk or Treat at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, which emerged with a distinct purpose: to provide an alternative trick-or-treating experience for the community of Eastern Henrico in a secure environment while still enjoying the fun and excitement of the holiday. The first event, held at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, included multiple recreation staff members who decorated their vehicles, distributed candy, and facilitated family-friendly activities. The program now reflects a broader county-wide collaboration, increasing community engagement while maintaining its original mission.
Inclusion Services Model
Henrico Recreation & Parks
The Henrico Recreation and Parks Inclusion Model is a comprehensive, department-wide framework that redefines how inclusive recreation is delivered at the local government level. Grounded in Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the model establishes eight intentional steps to ensure consistent, equitable access to registration-based programs for individuals with disabilities and medical conditions.