Montgomery County earned national recognition for programs expanding access to child care, recreation, education, and community support for residents across generations.

Leading the County’s 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards is the EquiCare Grant Program, which earned Best in Category in Children and Youth. EquiCare was created to address a gap facing families who need high-quality early childhood education but are ineligible for traditional subsidies. The program funds dedicated seats for infants and toddlers between six weeks and three years old at childcare providers meeting rigorous quality standards, covering the full cost for participating families with no additional tuition or copayments.

Since its launch, EquiCare has awarded grants to 25 childcare providers and funded 300 seats in communities with the greatest need. The model simultaneously expands access for families and provides fair compensation to participating childcare providers.

Other award-winning programs are taking similarly proactive approaches to supporting children and families. The County’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Support Services Program embeds mental health consultants directly into childcare centers, where they work with educators on classroom strategies, reflective coaching, and family engagement. The model shifts the focus from responding to individual behavioral challenges to building environments that support the social and emotional development of all children.

Montgomery County also earned recognition for culturally and linguistically appropriate alcohol and substance-use prevention programming for Latino parents and an expanded Keeping It Safe partnership bringing underage drinking prevention education to middle school students.

Access and inclusion extend beyond the classroom. Montgomery County Public Libraries eliminated printing fees and cash transactions at all locations in January 2026, removing a potential barrier for residents who rely on library printers for job and housing applications, public benefits, immigration paperwork, health care forms, and school assignments.

Meanwhile, Montgomery County Recreation earned recognition for programs designed to make sports, enrichment, and social connection more accessible. Instructional Lacrosse provides equipment and maintains a $25 seasonal registration fee to create an affordable entry point into a traditionally expensive sport. Minds in Action brings hands-on STEAM enrichment into recreation centers serving historically underserved communities, while Gym and Swim has served more than 300 young people each summer since launching in 2024.

Programs for older adults round out the County’s award-winning approach to community connection. 55+ Walking Soccer provides a lower-impact way for older adults to stay active and socially engaged, while Casino Royale uses recreation centers and casino-themed games to combat social isolation. The County’s Villages program also developed a new way to measure the impact of its network of more than 30 neighbor-helping-neighbor organizations. The resulting survey found 85% of volunteers reported a strong sense of purpose and connection, while 79% of all respondents felt more connected to their community.

Together, the programs show how Montgomery County is expanding opportunity and connection at different stages of life. From an infant’s first years to recreation and community support for older adults. To learn more and see the full list of awards visit the awards page on the NACo website.

These honors are part of 165 NACo Achievement Awards earned by Maryland counties this year, recognizing programs and services across nearly every area of local government.