Durham, N.C. - Durham County Government has been recognized by the National Association of Counties for its innovative approaches to local government by once again being among this year's NACo Achievement Award winners.

At the 2024 NACo Convention and Exhibition, Durham County received 11 NACo Achievement Awards - the most ever for the County and the fourth straight year with multiple honors for the work done by staff. Durham County also maintained its top-10 status in the Digital Counties Survey with an eighth place ranking among the country's counties with a population of 250,000-499,999.

The Durham County Stormwater and Erosion Control Division of the Engineering and Environmental Services Department was honored with Best in Category honors in County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability for its Go Online with GIS and Web-Based Systems entry.

The NACo Annual Conference and Expo, the largest meeting of county elected and appointed officials from across the country, took place from July 12-15, 2024, in Hillsborough County, Florida. During the conference, Durham County's Achievement Award recipients were celebrated at the NACo Annual Conference Achievement Awards Lunch and General Session held on Sunday, July 14.

Achievement Awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

Durham County's 11 NACo Achievement Award-winning programs are:

County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability: Durham County Stormwater and Erosion Control Go Online with GIS and Web-Based Systems (Also named Best in Category!)

Criminal Justice and Public Safety: Hayti Reborn Justice Movement Program

Health: Addressing Maternal Health Disparities through the Work of a Woman's Health Nurse Navigator

Information Technology: Durham County Government IT Procurement Process

Information Technology: Durham County Government Moveworks AI Chatbot

Information Technology: Durham County Government, Department of Social Services Quality Control Tool

Information Technology: Durham County, NC Environmental Health GIS Dashboard

Information Technology: Durham County Government, Board of Elections - Precinct Official Application and Portal

Libraries: Durham County Library's Helping Hand: Addressing Homelessness and Building Community

Personnel Management, Employment, and Training: Durham County Government, HR Connect Informational Program

Planning: Durham County Government, InfoTech Project - ERP Strategy & Selection

The Digital Counties Survey from NACo and the Center for Digital Government honors counties embracing innovative technologies, data governance, cybersecurity, and equity efforts for more responsive and effective government.

"It's an honor to be recognized again this year by Center of Digital Government (CDG) for our longstanding tradition of achievements in technology along with other outstanding counties this year," said Greg Marrow, Durham County's Chief Information Officer. "This award, and the multiple NACo Achievement Awards our department helped earn, recognizes the outstanding technological advancements our employees make each day in making Durham County Government more efficient and effective in the services we provide to our residents and businesses. I am super proud of the amazing Durham County employees whose outstanding work, once again, helped us gain recognition as one of the Top 10 Digital Counties in the Nation for 2024."

Staff was recognized at the Board of County Commissioners' Regular Session meeting on Monday, August 12, inside Commissioners' Chambers, 2nd Floor of the Administration I Building, 200 E. Main Street.

"Our Board has known that we have the greatest talent in the country on our team, and these awards have just reinforced that," said BOCC Chair Nida Allam. "We are excited to continue the NACo celebrations at home. Nothing our Board accomplishes would be possible without each and every Durham County team member. We are so grateful that y'all have chosen Durham County and continue to serve our residents with us!"

The following are details about Durham County's Achievement Awards and its awardees:

Go Online with GIS and Web-Based Systems (Stormwater and Erosion Control)

A local stormwater and erosion control program can go through a lot of paper - hardly a sustainable practice. In addition, with almost 300 active erosion control permits and stormwater projects, staff are constantly driving all over the County to inspect sites to maintain compliance. Add in a global pandemic where offices were closed to the public and staff were working remotely (and many continue to do so), and you had a perfect storm - or a perfect opportunity - for a new way to do things. Durham County is now utilizing new innovative electronic methods to limit the amount of paper it both receives and produces and GIS-based tools for managing its stormwater and erosion control program, all in order to increase efficiency, sustainability, responsiveness, and compliance with the goal of protecting and improving water quality.

"Being recognized as Best in Category for County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability is a testament to Durham County's commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship," said Ryan Eaves, Durham County Stormwater and Erosion Control Manager. "By transitioning to GIS and web-based systems for our Stormwater and Erosion Control program, we've not only streamlined our operations, improved our customer service, and reduced our paper consumption but also enhanced our ability to protect water quality."

Hayti Reborn Justice Movement Program (County Manager's Office)

In order to create a thriving community, government leaders must identify ways to help justice-involved, gang-involved, and marginalized community members overcome barriers that prevent them from achieving the economic and social stability they need to thrive. In Durham, North Carolina, Durham County Government, Durham Technical Community College, and Hayti Reborn Justice Movement (HRJM), a nonprofit agency, collaborated to implement a workforce development system that prepares marginalized individuals, including those who are justice-and/or gang-involved to enter the workforce.

Addressing Maternal Health Disparities through the Work of a Woman's Health Nurse Navigator (Durham County Department of Public Health)

In response to the urgent crisis of maternal morbidity and mortality, Durham County created a program and position to address gaps identified in prenatal and postpartum care. Housed in a medically low-risk women's health clinic at the local health department, this multifaceted program aims to connect with individual patients to assess healthcare needs and opportunities for education and empowerment, while simultaneously navigating and coordinating care with the local health system to ensure that all needs are addressed. The program in particularly aimed as increased risk and health disparity faced by Black maternal patients, with a focus on identifying hypertensive risk before, during and after delivery. After less than two year of operation, results are promising as this focused effort aims to move the needle for on risk for maternal morbidity and mortality in Durham County.

"The Durham County Dept of Public Health is honored to receive this NACO award in recognition of our work with eliminating maternal health disparities," said Public Health Director Rod Jenkins. "By working collaboratively with our valued stakeholders, we are striving to make an even greater impact on the lives of birthing women. We are fortunate to have a passionate woman's health navigator who is from the Durham community thus deeply investing in positive outcomes."

InfoTech Project - ERP Strategy & Selection (Information Services and Technology Department)

Durham County has completed Phase I of its strategic planning for a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This project consists of three phases, each involving complex initiatives aimed at replacing or upgrading an outdated ERP solution. The current system involves various stakeholders from different business sectors with varying levels of familiarity with modern ERP capabilities. As a result, the project has undertaken a comprehensive gathering of business requirements, expectations, and formal work processes. The development of an effective strategy and roadmap has been crucial in ensuring the project's future success, given the substantial cost and resource demands associated with ERP projects. The project has engaged a third-party vendor to collaborate with stakeholders in crafting an ERP strategy and roadmap, fostering alignment, and maximizing the project's potential for success.

Durham County Government IT Procurement Process (Information Services and Technology)

The IT procurement automation project implemented by Durham County Government aimed to streamline and automate the approval process for acquiring software, hardware, and contract renewals within the IT department. This was achieved through the use of the ServiceNow platform, replacing manual and email-based processes with a centralized digital system. The main goal of this initiative was to enhance transparency, accountability, and timeliness in IT procurement while also ensuring compliance with procurement policies and regulations. By implementing automated workflows and approval routing mechanisms, the project aimed to expedite procurement cycles, minimize errors, and provide stakeholders with real-time visibility into the status of requests. The outcomes of the project were significant, with Durham County Government experiencing reduced processing times, improved data accuracy, and enhanced decision-making capabilities. The automation of approval workflows led to greater efficiency, cost savings, and increased satisfaction among both requesters and approvers. Overall, the project successfully modernized and optimized IT procurement processes, aligning them with best practices and paving the way for continued innovation and effectiveness within the Durham County Government.

Durham County Government Moveworks AI Chatbot (Information Services and Technology)

The implementation of the Moveworks AI chatbot marked a transformative milestone in our organization's digital transformation journey. This innovative program aimed to revolutionize our internal IT support operations by leveraging artificial intelligence to provide seamless and efficient assistance to employees. The purpose of integrating the Moveworks AI chatbot was to enhance the overall user experience by delivering instant, personalized support for IT-related inquiries and technical issues. By harnessing natural language processing and machine learning capabilities, the chatbot could understand and resolve a wide range of IT queries autonomously, reducing dependency on manual intervention and accelerating issue resolution times. The outcomes of the program were profound and far-reaching. Not only did the Moveworks AI chatbot significantly reduce the burden on our IT helpdesk by automating routine tasks and inquiries, but it also empowered employees to resolve issues independently, thereby boosting productivity and efficiency across the organization. Moreover, the chatbot's ability to continuously learn and improve over time ensured that it remained adaptive and responsive to evolving user needs, further enhancing its effectiveness as a valuable support resource. Overall, the implementation of the Moveworks AI chatbot has revolutionized our IT support landscape, delivering tangible benefits in terms of cost savings, operational efficiency, and user satisfaction.

Durham County Government Department of Social Services Quality Control Tool (Durham County Social Servies and Information Services and Technology)

The QC (Quality Control) Tool program was developed in-house and implemented in the Social Services department. This tool serves as a pivotal mechanism for ensuring and enhancing quality delivery. Its primary purpose is to systematically monitor, assess, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of social welfare programs and interventions. Utilizing various QC tools such as checklists, flowcharts, Pareto charts, and cause-and-effect diagrams, the program enables social service agencies to identify areas for improvement, streamline processes, and address systemic issues. By analyzing data and feedback from service recipients, stakeholders, and frontline workers, the program facilitates evidence-based decision-making and continuous quality improvement initiatives. The outcomes of the QC Tool program are multifaceted and impactful. It not only enhances service delivery by promoting consistency, reliability, and accountability but also fosters a culture of transparency and learning within social service organizations. Moreover, by identifying and addressing inefficiencies and gaps in service provision, the program leads to improved client outcomes, increased satisfaction, and ultimately, greater social impact. Overall, the QC Tool program plays a critical role in driving excellence and effectiveness in social services, ultimately benefiting individuals, families, and communities.

"Our Quality Control Tool plays a critical role in the successful administration of our many social benefits programs, which in turn helps us with regulatory compliance, process optimization, and data-driven decision-making with the end goal to serve our Durham community and its citizens to the best of our ability," said DSS Director Maggie Clapp.

NC Environmental Health GIS Dashboard

Provide a comprehensive ArcGIS platform to simplify and automate territorial assignments and the ability to monitor, manage, and notify of power outages within the Environmental Health inspection purview in Durham County.

Durham County Government/Board of Elections - Precinct Official Application and Portal (Durham County Board of Elections and Information Services and Technology)

The BOE Precinct Official Application and Portal are internally built web apps created through a partnership between the Durham County Board of Elections and the Information Systems & Technology Department. Due to North Carolina General Statutes and the seasonal nature of elections, no existing software adequately meets all the requirements of a Board of Elections. It was designed with the following objectives: - Simplify Communication with Precinct Officials and between Divisions - Simplify and streamline Workforce Management and Worker Experience - Simplify Decision Making by providing Pertinent Information in the Interface The application has automated many complicated processes and created a streamlined inter-connected system for Precinct Official Management. The improved interfaces simplify the process of making informed assignments to rolls, by neatly presenting information from: - NC State Election Information Management Systems (SEIMs) - Voter Registration Details - TalentLMS - Online Training Assigning and Tracking - FlexiQuiz - Technology Assessment Grade - BOE Logistics Application - Delivery Schedules - Worker Availability and Nominations Following implementation, significant savings of time and taxpayer dollars were realized due to the simplification of the assignment process.

"Our department is grateful to receive recognition from NaCo for the fourth year in a row," said Elections Director Derek Bowens. "The development of this application was a collaborative effort between the Board of Elections and our IS&T department, and it has streamlined all facets of precinct official management. We believe this innovative application could be used not only in all North Carolina counties, but nationwide."

Durham County Library's Helping Hand: Addressing Homelessness and Building Community (Durham County Library)

Durham County Library has developed a partnership with Families Moving Forward, a local shelter that serves families experiencing the crisis of homelessness. Located just across the street from Durham County Library's Main Library location, Families Moving Forward provides temporary housing, skills education, and connections to community with the ultimate goal of every family thriving in a safe, stable home. As part of this partnership, Durham County Library leadership has participated in a workplace skills workshops at Families Moving Forward in addition to all library staff contributing to both monetary and in-kind donations. As a result of this program, Families Moving Forward guests have access to new resources, and Durham County Library staff have a better grasp of the needs of Families Moving Forward guests.

"It is a privilege to be able to support and work together with our neighbors at Families Moving Forward," said Durham County Library leadership. "The missions of our organizations align in such a way that it is a natural partnership."

Durham County, HR Connect Informational Program (Durham County Human Resources)

The HR Connect Informational program implemented by Durham County Government is a digital platform that provides virtual sessions every Thursday to employees with timely updates, valuable information, and HR tips to enhance their professional development and well-being. Through this program, employees receive regular updates and education on various topics via Microsoft Teams with the intent of delivering pertinent updates on policies, procedures, benefits, and resources available within Durham County. The purpose of the HR Connect Informational program is to foster employee engagement, empower staff with relevant knowledge, and promote a positive work culture within Durham County Government. By providing accessible and informative content, the program aims to enhance communication between HR and employees, address common inquiries, and facilitate continuous learning and development opportunities. As a result of the HR Connect Informational program, employees have reported increased awareness of organizational policies and benefits, leading to improved utilization of available resources and services. Moreover, the program has contributed to a more informed and engaged workforce, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support among employees. Overall, the HR Connect Informational program has proven successful in promoting transparency, communication, and employee well-being within Durham County Government.

"We are thrilled to receive recognition from NACo for our commitment to engaging and informing our employees about crucial HR policies and benefits," said Human Resources Director Kathy Everett-Perry. "Our weekly HRConnect sessions have been instrumental in establishing a strong connection with our employees, while fostering a two-way conversation that benefits everyone involved. Regular communication has enabled our team to cut through barriers and cultivate trust. In times when in-person meetings are not always possible, these virtual sessions have been vital in maintaining our connection and promoting a sense of community and belongingness. By dedicating ourselves to these weekly HRConnect sessions, we've uncovered innovative methods to enhance employee morale and showcase the numerous advantages of being a part of Durham County Government. We look forward to continuing to engage with DCo staff at our weekly HRConnect sessions."

Learn more about all of the 2024 NACo Achievement Award winners and past awardees, including those awarded to Durham County Government, using NACo's searchable awards database.

For more additional details about Durham County's Achievement Awards, email publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov.