Henrico County’s general government departments and Henrico County Public Schools earned a combined 56 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for innovative programs and initiatives.
Henrico’s total for 2026 is the most of any county in Virginia for the 21st consecutive year and the eighth most in the country in this year’s competition. Henrico’s count followed those of San Bernardino County, Calif.; Miami-Dade County, Fla.; Cook County, Ill.; Howard County, Md.; Los Angeles County, Calif.; Maricopa County, Ariz.; and San Diego County, Calif.
Henrico had 342,775 residents in 2025 – fewer than San Bernardino’s 2.2 million and comparable to Howard’s 339,183, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize innovative programs and initiatives in 18 service categories, including children and youth; community and economic development; information technology; criminal justice and public safety; libraries; parks and recreation; and human services. Henrico submitted 57 programs for award consideration.
“The NACo Achievement Awards showcase the tremendous work our departments and dedicated staff do for our community every day,” County Manager John A. Vithoulkas said. “These award-winning programs and initiatives reflect our commitment to excellence in governance and focus on customer service. Whether it’s tackling the affordable housing crisis, promoting pet adoptions, making our transportation system safer, engaging older residents or addressing mental health needs across the community, these awards represent problems solved, challenges overcome and efficiencies achieved.”
The 2026 awards reflect the work of 12 government departments and Henrico County Public Schools. Several of the initiatives reflect collaboration across departments. The county government’s winning programs and respective nominating agencies are below.
- No Tax on Overtime Employee Dashboard – Finance, with Human Resources and Information Technology
- Fixin’ To Go Home – Police
- Special Events Unit – Police
- Historically Speaking – Public Library
- The Auction of Arbitrary Art – Public Library
- Based on a True Story – Public Library
- Historic Career Conversations – Public Library
- Affordable Housing Trust Fund – Community Revitalization
- Employee Home Purchase Assistance Program – Community Revitalization
- Solar Access for Low Income Residents – General Services-Sustainability
- Catalyst Business Academy – Economic Development Authority, with Public Library
- Aging Actively Mobile Library Partnership – Mental Health & Developmental Services, with Public Library
- The Oak – Mental Health & Developmental Services, with Henrico County Public Schools
- ADOS-2 Assessment Clinic to Expand Equitable Access to Care – Mental Health & Developmental Services
- B.R.I.D.G.E.S – Mental Health & Developmental Services
- General District Behavioral Health Docket – Mental Health & Developmental Services
- Outreach Case Manager – Mental Health & Developmental Services
- Partnering Nursing Students with DD Day Programs – Mental Health & Developmental Services
- Wise Guyz 2.0 – Mental Health & Developmental Services
- Wise Guyz Lunch Program – Mental Health & Developmental Services
- Improving Behavioral Health Equity in Rural Communities – Mental Health & Developmental Services
- Post Crisis Peer Engagement Program – Mental Health & Developmental Services
- Combating Ageism Training in Emergency Services – Outreach & Engagement
- Spread the Love – Outreach & Engagement
- Vector Surveillance and Control Elementary Outreach Program – Public Works
- Arrive Alive – Public Works
- Dorey Group Exercise Renovation – Recreation & Parks
- Forest Faces and Mud Monsters – Recreation & Parks
- Free Group Exercise Pass – Recreation & Parks
- Remote Telemetry Unit Program – Recreation & Parks
- Standardized Training Infrastructure Program – Recreation & Parks
- Trunk or Treat – Recreation & Parks
- Health and Fitness Expo – Recreation & Parks
- Inclusion Services Model – Recreation & Parks