For the seventh straight year, New Hanover County has been honored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) with achievement awards that recognize various customer service programs and initiatives, according to a news release. 

Over the last seven years, New Hanover County has received a total of 54 NACo Achievement Awards and this year brought home 10.

Vice Chair Deb Hays and Commissioners Rob Zapple and Bill Rivenbark were presented the awards as part of NACo’s annual conference in Denver.

“As our community grows, we know that, as a county, we must be ready to meet our citizen’s needs in an efficient and thorough manner. These awards show our continued commitment to making that happen,” Hays said in the release. “Our team has a focus on streamlining and improving customer interaction when they need to do business with the county. Granted, we don’t make those improvements to win awards, but it is still humbling to be recognized. I’m so thankful for everyone who made these honors possible and looking forward to seeing how our organization continues to improve and expand our services in the future.”

Every year, NACo’s Achievement Awards Program recognizes county government programs "that help build, sustain and enhance healthy, safe and vibrant communities. These national honors are given in 18 categories that reflect the vast and comprehensive services that counties offer," the release stated.

New Hanover County’s 10 awards were spread out over six departments, with Health and Human Services earning five honors. Below is a list of the programs and services that received these distinctions and videos highlighting the awards can be viewed here:

• “Community Justice Services Partnership with Cape Fear Community College” in the category of Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• “Department of Social Services Kinship Therapeutic Foster Care Program” in the category of Children and Youth
• “Gap Workforce Rental Assistance Program” in the category of Community and Economic Development
• “Health and Human Services Energy Assistance Process Improvement” in the category of Financial Management
• “Health and Human Services Strategic Plan” in the category of County Administration and Management
• “Homeowner Assistance Program” in the category of Human Services
• “Parks Resource Officer Program” in the category of Parks and Recreation
• “School based Mental Health Program” in the category of Health
• “Senior Resources Center Master Aging Plan” in the category of Human Services
• “Stormwater Utility Services” in the category of County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability