Henrico County’s general government departments and Henrico County Public Schools earned a combined 4 Achievement Awards from the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) which recognizes excellence in local government programs for 2021. Two of the award submissions were combined into ONE winning program (Communications RN Model & Communications Fire Officer Program).
Henrico’s award-winning programs are listed below:
Equity Ambassadors – Best Achievement Award
Henrico County Public Schools
Henrico County Public Schools’ Office of Equity, Diversity and Opportunity designed a divisionwide program for high school students that amplifies student voices by engaging and educating them on issues of equity and inclusivity (belonging within a culture of dignity). The program’s aims align with our office’s strategic pillar of equity and opportunity, and were to:
- Create opportunities for students to engage in “daring dialogue” on current equity issues impacting our school communities (providing them with the skills to engage with peers outside the program).
- Provide students with the knowledge and leadership skills they need to design and facilitate efforts to address the equity and diversity (inclusivity) issues within their school and the greater community.
- Expand students’ scope of awareness and understanding by providing an intentional framework for them to engage with diverse students from across the school division.
Every year we identify an area that we believe will amplify student voices in the work of equity and determine supporting programming. This year we focused on empowering students to build bridges towards belonging, inclusion and respect for those within their schools and the greater community.
Progress Through Community Conversations
Henrico County Public Schools
The HCPS Family and Community Engagement Department introduced the first of five planned “Community Conversations”. These series were created in response to a need to provide spaces for Black voices in Henrico County and to discuss ongoing and needed progress to ensure safety and equity for all students, staff and families.
Culture of Dignity and Responsive Action Plan
Henrico County Public Schools
The HCPS Family and Community Engagement Department introduced the first of five planned “Community Conversations”. These series were created in response to a need to provide spaces for Black voices in Henrico County and to discuss ongoing and needed progress to ensure safety and equity for all students, staff and families.
Communications RN Model
Henrico Division of Fire
In an innovative format, the Division deployed an exciting new model of triaging patient acuity by utilizing Henrico County Public School nurses in conjunction with Paramedic Fire Officers to match risk with response while meeting the needs of the community and balancing risk to firefighters.
Communications Fire Officer Program
Henrico Division of Fire
In an innovative format, the Division deployed an exciting new model of triaging patient acuity by utilizing Henrico County Public School nurses in conjunction with Paramedic Fire Officers to match risk with response while meeting the needs of the community and balancing risk to firefighters.