Introducing the 2024 MACo Celebratory Blog Series: Showcasing the Remarkable Achievements of Maryland’s Award-Winning Counties!

Join us on this exciting journey as we embark on a special blog series dedicated to honoring the exceptional accomplishments of the counties that triumphed in the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2024 Achievement Awards.  Each week, we will shine a well-deserved spotlight on a few remarkable counties, taking a deeper dive into their accomplishments, innovative initiatives, and the profound impact they have had on their communities. 

Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation

Montgomery County – Augmented Reality at Oakley Cabin

Augmented Reality (AR) at Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park (“Oakley AR”) is a new way to discover the history of Oakley Cabin and the people who lived there in post‐ Emancipation Maryland.  Eight AR experiences have been created in seven languages. AR uses digital objects displayed over the real‐world Park to engage visitors: an AR avatar provides the history of the Cabin; visitors use accessible audio commentary and gamification to interactively place digital 3D‐objects over the real‐world area of the Cabin; a 3D “doll house‐like” cut away model of the interior allows visitors to “see” inside beyond the 15 Saturdays a year the Cabin is open for tours and allows visitors with limited mobility or who do not speak English to access the interior; and photogrammetry, laser scanning, archaeological, and cultural research are combined to provide historical recreations of the community. The purpose is to provide a new way to learn about the County’s rich African American heritage and provide a proof of concept to expand AR deployment to the Underground Railroad and other Maryland heritage sites. The outcome is increased visitors and the ability to measure engagement at minimum on‐going cost to the County.

Children and Youth

Howard County received two achievement awards in this category.

Howard County Office of Workforce Development Summer Youth Program

The Howard County Office of Workforce Development sponsored the largest Summer Youth Employment Program in the history of the county. In 2018 the county’s summer youth program had grant funding to support summer employment for 12 youth. In 2023, with the help of Howard County government and other community partners, grew the program to 175 youth. The goal of the county is to increase the number of participants and worksites every year to offer much needed employment experience for our youth.

Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Initiative

In Spring 2023, County Executive Calvin Ball launched Howard County’s Youth Engagement Programming initiative, better known as the YEP! initiative. This program supports community partners and nonprofits that create enriching programs and activities to engage young people. The purpose of these new programs and efforts is to provide our young people with expanded opportunities to be more active and engaged with their peers, and to ensure a safe, supportive, and nurturing community. Howard County’s YEP! Initiative promotes youth activities and engagement in Howard County by providing nonprofits and community organizations with resources to develop free, accessible, and supportive programming outside of traditional school hours. These programs focus on social-emotional learning, mental health and wellness, and activities for young people. Additionally, proposals will leverage partnerships with other community organizations in Howard County.

Prince George’s County received two achievement awards in this category.

Alsobrooks Youth Leadership Institute

The Alsobrooks Youth Leadership Institute (AYLI) is a 22-member body of Prince George’s Proud youth from throughout the County. AYLI is a diverse group of youth (ages 15-17, grades 9-11) from various socio-economic backgrounds who are serious about impacting the lives of youth in our County and interested in County Government. The program is an intense emersion-learning opportunity in which participants are required to attend 95% of the program meetings, modules, and service activities. AYLI includes forward-thinking young people who want to invest in their personal and professional growth while giving back and paying it forward to the community-at-large. AYLI represents the best of our youth and those who have a desire to make a positive impact on not just Prince George’s County, but the world. Participants will receive community service hours for school credit.

Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP)

The Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP) is designed for youth ages 14-24 to relate to enriching and constructive summer work experiences in public, private, non-profit, and faith-based sectors.

Civic Education and Public Information

Baltimore County – Community Planning Institute

Based on the initiatives of Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski, Jr, The Community Planning Institute (CPI) was established to increase engagement with community members and stakeholders on planning, land use, and development topics. A program of the Baltimore County Department of Planning, this 5-week community educational program is offered in both the spring and fall to a cohort of approximately 25 community leaders. Participants a have the opportunity to interact with agency leaders, engage in interactive activities, and network with other Baltimore County community members to broaden their understanding of the strengths, challenges, and constraints associated with growth management and development in Baltimore County. The knowledge gained throughout the program further empowers participants to be proactively engaged in various planning-related initiatives throughout the county.

Howard County – Youth Engagement Leadership Workgroup – Youth Public and Civic Engagement

Howard County Government’s Youth Engagement Leadership Workgroup (YELW) is a recognition that in order to be an inclusive community, we must continue to ensure young people have a seat at the table and are engaged in the decision-making process. Through this initiative, Howard County Government is being intentional about working to foster an environment where community-centered solutions are co-created to ensure young people’s voices are included, engaged, and respected. Howard County Government recognizes that we must continue to ensure young people have a seat at the table and are engaged in the decision-making process. The Youth Engagement Leadership Workgroup was created to ensure this representation and successful engagement. The group is made up of 27 young people, ages 13-25, who were selected by the County Executive to represent our diverse community and concerns. The Workgroup is tasked with opening the line of communication between Howard County Government and young people in the county, whose voices are often not heard. This group’s community engagement efforts have been extensive and are already making an impact on policy and outreach opportunities.

Montgomery County received two achievement awards in this category.

Fostering Accountability and Trust: Maximizing Transparency and Efficiency of the Contract Review Process

The Office of Procurement works in collaboration with County Departments to properly administer nearly 2,600 contracts annually. These contracts are executed and managed in a manner that adheres to County code and regulations, however for instances where a contract action falls outside of the standard procurement process, a committee review of the action is required. The Contract Review Committee (CRC) was established by regulation to facilitate the review and evaluation of these actions, which are held weekly in an open and public forum. These weekly CRC meetings allow County employees and the public to observe and participate in meetings where contract decisions are made. This transparency enables participants to understand the reasoning behind decisions and assess information considered by decision-makers. In 2023, a new bill introduced additional requirements for organizations holding open meetings, in addition to those already specified in the state’s Open Meetings Act. These additional mandates prompted the Office of Procurement to revise and streamline the existing, manual, and outdated CRC meeting process. Aligning with our commitment to fostering a customer service-oriented environment and ensuring legal compliance, the Office of Procurement introduced the Contract Review Committee (CRC) Request application.

Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Podcast

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Podcast was launched by the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) to enhance communications and better connect, educate, and engage with permitting customers and stakeholders in Montgomery County, Maryland, home to more than one million residents. The podcast connects listeners on- demand with local code officials who share information and tips for navigating the permitting process for residential and commercial projects. The podcast is hosted and produced by DPS staff, and available on the County’s website and various podcast platforms. In its first year, the Permitting Services Podcast covered a range of topics including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), building safety, deck permits, fire code compliance, septic systems, urban farming, use and occupancy certificates, etc. The podcast serves as an educational resource for Montgomery County residents, new staff and employees who may want to expand their knowledge of permitting topics outside their respective roles. Listeners are encouraged to submit questions and ideas for future episodes to dps.podcast@montgomerycountymd.gov. Podcast episodes are promoted throughout the County via news releases and newsletters; on various social media platforms; in the DPS lobby; and on flyers and posters displayed at local meetings and outreach events.

Together, let’s explore the remarkable stories behind these award-winning counties, and draw inspiration from their passion, creativity, and commitment to making a positive difference.  View all 2024 NACo Achievement Award winners through their interactive and searchable map.