• Four of the awards focused on pandemic response, including the county’s school nurse program and COVID-19 vaccine public education campaign.

Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County has captured 11 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for 2022, including four for Oakland County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

NACo recognized Oakland County for its:

• 2020-2021 Oakland Together School Nurse Initiative, where the Oakland County Health Division hired public health nurses to serve in local school districts to address COVID-19-related concerns
• Save Your Spot online COVID-19 vaccine scheduler for residents to indicate their interest in getting vaccinated with more than 600,000 registrations
• One-by-One multi-faceted public education campaign that encouraged hope and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Distribution plan which helped get PPE to thousands of first responders and front-line workers who responded daily to residents in the county’s 62 cities, villages and townships.

“From the first case of COVID-19 in March of 2020, through today, Oakland County has prioritized the health and safety of its residents,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “I’m so proud of our employees for being recognized for their passion, creativity and dedication to not only the response to COVID, but also ensuring that our residents have access to efficient and quality services and programs.”

To view all of Oakland County’s awards, click here and type Oakland County in the search bar.

“All across the country, counties are working tirelessly to support residents and drive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” NACo President Larry Johnson said. “This year’s Achievement Award-winning programs showcase how counties work every day to build healthy, safe and thriving communities.”

Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include: children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.

Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. NACo unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service. Learn more at naco.org.