From protecting our most vulnerable citizens to programs that assist veterans and foster children, California Counties are delivering critical services to Californians. CSAC is pleased to highlight County best-practices by announcing the recipients of our 2015 Challenge Awards. 

These awards are presented annually to celebrate the innovative work being developed and implemented by California Counties. This year the judging panel found the entries particularly strong; the 250-plus entries were the most since 2008. Overall, judges selected two special awards, 10 Challenge Awards and 30 Merit Awards.

San Diego County is this year’s top recipient, earning seven awards, including the highest honor: the California Counties Innovation Award for its Adult Protective Services Acutely Vulnerable Adult Protocol. The panel of judges was also impressed by the strong collaboration among six counties for their work on marijuana policy, and created a special award: the California Counties Collaboration Award that goes to Mendocino, Humboldt, Lake, Sonoma, Del Norte and Trinity Counties.

“I think a lot of people don’t realize the breadth and depth of the services California counties are responsible for—let alone some of the innovative, efficient and highly effective ways they deliver those services,” said CSAC Executive Director Matt Cate. “Our Challenge Awards give recipient counties and staff some well-deserved credit and provide a platform to share these innovative ideas with others in local government.”

Other counties to receive multiple awards are: Los Angeles County (4), Orange (4), Riverside (4), Contra Costa (3), San Bernardino (3) Santa Cruz County (2) Placer (2), and Ventura (2).

For a complete list of 2015 Challenge Award recipients, click here.