County Administration
May 13, 2022
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA — Chesterfield County recently received 15 achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). These awards recognize the ways that local governments are providing better, more innovative services to their residents and strengthening communities across the country.
Chesterfield’s awards this year included a “Best in Category” in Civic Education and Public Information for “Mental Health Is A Puzzle, But We Have The Missing Piece” Youth-Centric Social Media Campaign. This is awarded to one outstanding program from each award category and the last time Chesterfield won “Best in Category” was in 2015.
In partnership with Mental Health Support Services and Citizen Information and Resources, the county’s Communications and Media Department worked with the Youth Services Board, a group of high school students appointed by the Board of Supervisors, to craft a highly successful mental health social media campaign targeting teens and parents. The goal of the campaign – “Mental Health Is A Puzzle, But We Have The Missing Piece” – was to engage with more Chesterfield residents and talk about the importance of addressing their mental health.
“I would first like to congratulate each department who either was nominated or received an award,” said Chesterfield County Administrator Dr. Joe Casey. “The work done by the employees of Chesterfield County Government continues to not only improve the lives of residents, businesses, and visitors alike, but it also speaks for the level of expertise and talent that the county has recruited and retained. Accolades like these are proof positive of the work we do and why Chesterfield is and continues to be a First Choice Community. I am very proud to see that hard work recognized by the National Association of Counties.”
“The Board of Supervisors is extremely proud of every department that received one of this year’s distinguished NACo Achievement Awards,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Chris Winslow (Clover Hill). “These accolades showcase the innovative and comprehensive ways our workforce connects residents with resources and enhances the lives of our citizens. I am especially impressed by the youth-centric social media campaign, a powerful product of our Youth Services Board and county staff. The campaign achieved much success and was the first of its kind in the region. We congratulate the staff and leaders responsible for these honors and appreciate their dedication to building a safe, healthy, and thriving community.”
Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Award Program is designed to recognize innovative county government programs. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. The awards are given in categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services that counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, environmental protection, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
The 2022 award winners are:
Communications and Media
Economic Development
Human Resources
Information Systems and Technology
Juvenile Detention
Libraries
Mental Health Support Services
Parks and Recreation
Schools
Sheriff’s Office
Utilities Department