Fulton County Wins 6 National Achievement Awards
Fulton County Wins 6 National Achievement Awards
July 20, 2023
The National Association of Counties (NACo) recognizes Georgia’s largest county in several areas including Best in Category.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) recently announced the 2023 Achievement Awards and recognized 6 Fulton County programs. The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. Fulton County was honored in several areas, including Best in Category going to the Department of Arts & Culture. The winners will be recognized during the Annual NACo Conference held in Travis County, Texas, July 21 – 24.
“Once again, we all see that Fulton County is a very big deal,” said Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts. “We are not only an organization for change but also an organization of innovative. This record number of awards would not be possible without all of the dedicated people who wake up each day committed to providing the highest quality of services to our residents.”
“It is an absolute honor to have the work being done in Fulton County recognized by the National Association of Counties,” said Fulton County Manager Dick Anderson. “This honor and these awards are not only a reflection of the ongoing work being done, but a demonstration that Fulton County is the best place where people of all backgrounds can grow and thrive.”
Background on the Fulton County programs receiving achievement awards:
Fashion, Art, Culture & Entertainment (F.A.C.E.) – Best in Category
In 2022, Fulton County’s Department of Arts and Culture developed a cost-effective concept mirrored by no other county which introduced fashion, arts, culture, and education (F.A.C.E) to Fulton County residents. F.A.C.E has a layered approach with a part of the focus on preparing high school students with knowledge needed to develop career paths in the arts and fashion industry.
Public Art Futures Lab - Civic Education and Public Information
The Public Art Futures Lab seeks to provide a space for creatives to exhibit, experiment, educate, and experience the role of technology and its intersection with public art. Our mission is to make the creation and experience of tech-enabled art accessible to our community for both creators and consumers. This is achieved through an artist-in-residence program, educational events, exhibits, and experiences.
Project ORCA (COVID-19 Case Resolution) - Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Project ORCA is a $75 million investment in staffing and resources to create a Shadow Court System whose only focus is to reduce the number of backlogged cases brought on because of the COVID-19 shutdown of the Fulton County Court system. Project ORCA began on December 6, 2021 and reached its resolution of its 100,000 case in May 2023.
Joan P. Garner Walk & Health Fair – Health
The Annual Joan P. Garner Walk and Health Fair honors the legacy of the late Fulton County Commissioner Joan P. Garner, who spent six years as a member of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners championing health access, and who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2017. Funded by the Board of Commissioners, this annual event allows Fulton County residents and guests to enjoy a fun-filled day while increasing access to health resources. With its emphasis on health, the annual event honors Commissioner Garner’s longtime life spent advocating for civil and human rights and health issues.
Fulton CARES App – Human Services
Fulton County remains at the forefront of digital government transformation, communication, and inclusion by creating an app that uses modern technology to engage citizens in an exciting way. The Fulton Cares mobile app meets people where they are by providing county citizens and their families 24/7 access to the health and human services resources needed to live happy, healthy, and impactful lives here in Fulton County. Fulton Cares connects with services offered by and through Fulton County and its many partners, including Arts and Culture, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Community Development, Public and Environmental Health, the Fulton County Library System, HIV Services, Senior Services, and many others.
Fulton County COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) – Human Services
Fulton County launched the application period for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on Monday, March 1, 2021 to aid eligible households in need of rental and utility assistance. Fulton County was among the first ERAP funding recipients to fully expend funds to residents through an application process as well as an intervention model with case managers onsite at Magistrate Court eviction proceedings. Fulton County was initially awarded $18 million in federal funding for this program through the U.S. Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
For more information about Fulton County’s NACo Achievement Awards visit www.naco.org.
“Once again, we all see that Fulton County is a very big deal,” said Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts. “We are not only an organization for change but also an organization of innovative. This record number of awards would not be possible without all of the dedicated people who wake up each day committed to providing the highest quality of services to our residents.”
“It is an absolute honor to have the work being done in Fulton County recognized by the National Association of Counties,” said Fulton County Manager Dick Anderson. “This honor and these awards are not only a reflection of the ongoing work being done, but a demonstration that Fulton County is the best place where people of all backgrounds can grow and thrive.”
Background on the Fulton County programs receiving achievement awards:
Fashion, Art, Culture & Entertainment (F.A.C.E.) – Best in Category
In 2022, Fulton County’s Department of Arts and Culture developed a cost-effective concept mirrored by no other county which introduced fashion, arts, culture, and education (F.A.C.E) to Fulton County residents. F.A.C.E has a layered approach with a part of the focus on preparing high school students with knowledge needed to develop career paths in the arts and fashion industry.
Public Art Futures Lab - Civic Education and Public Information
The Public Art Futures Lab seeks to provide a space for creatives to exhibit, experiment, educate, and experience the role of technology and its intersection with public art. Our mission is to make the creation and experience of tech-enabled art accessible to our community for both creators and consumers. This is achieved through an artist-in-residence program, educational events, exhibits, and experiences.
Project ORCA (COVID-19 Case Resolution) - Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Project ORCA is a $75 million investment in staffing and resources to create a Shadow Court System whose only focus is to reduce the number of backlogged cases brought on because of the COVID-19 shutdown of the Fulton County Court system. Project ORCA began on December 6, 2021 and reached its resolution of its 100,000 case in May 2023.
Joan P. Garner Walk & Health Fair – Health
The Annual Joan P. Garner Walk and Health Fair honors the legacy of the late Fulton County Commissioner Joan P. Garner, who spent six years as a member of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners championing health access, and who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2017. Funded by the Board of Commissioners, this annual event allows Fulton County residents and guests to enjoy a fun-filled day while increasing access to health resources. With its emphasis on health, the annual event honors Commissioner Garner’s longtime life spent advocating for civil and human rights and health issues.
Fulton CARES App – Human Services
Fulton County remains at the forefront of digital government transformation, communication, and inclusion by creating an app that uses modern technology to engage citizens in an exciting way. The Fulton Cares mobile app meets people where they are by providing county citizens and their families 24/7 access to the health and human services resources needed to live happy, healthy, and impactful lives here in Fulton County. Fulton Cares connects with services offered by and through Fulton County and its many partners, including Arts and Culture, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Community Development, Public and Environmental Health, the Fulton County Library System, HIV Services, Senior Services, and many others.
Fulton County COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) – Human Services
Fulton County launched the application period for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on Monday, March 1, 2021 to aid eligible households in need of rental and utility assistance. Fulton County was among the first ERAP funding recipients to fully expend funds to residents through an application process as well as an intervention model with case managers onsite at Magistrate Court eviction proceedings. Fulton County was initially awarded $18 million in federal funding for this program through the U.S. Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
For more information about Fulton County’s NACo Achievement Awards visit www.naco.org.