Submitted by Thurston County
Thurston County received 19 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – more than any other Washington county – for innovative programs and services that improve the lives of county residents.
The award-winning programs include improving language access to public health services, election security enhancements, voter access and education, landowner assistance programs, a drop-in community resource center, trail preservation and rehabilitation, and support for healthier pregnancies and births in the county.
The dedication of Thurston County employees to partner with our community is central to the success of these programs. “County employees aren’t just serving the community—they’re part of it,” said Board of County Commissioners Chair Tye Menser. “They look out for their neighbors, raise their children, enjoy our parks and trails, and vote in local elections alongside the residents they serve. These awards reflect the positive direction the county is headed, and the deep commitment of our valued employees and leaders to the community.”
Among the 19 award-winning programs and services are the Fix-it Fair, afree community event where volunteer “fixers” from the county’s Public Works Department repaired items brought in by the community, diverting them from the landfill. The program won a Best of Category award out of 17 submissions from across the country, and plans for the next fair on November 5 are underway.
Through the Recreational Trail Partnerships, the county partnered with cities like Yelm to ensure state and federal funds went further to maintain 47.5 miles of trails for residents to enjoy.
To help keep our community growing, the county applied for an area-wide federal permit to allow the county to continue locally issuing development permits after four local species were added to the federal endangered species list. The county’s federal permit—as part of its Habitat Conservation Plan—helped reduce costs and impacts to the community from the federal ESA listing.
The county’s Resource Hubis a drop-in center that connects people with behavioral health needs who are impacted by the justice system with legal aid, healthcare, housing, employment help, and peer support.
Among the many awards for Thurston County’s Public Health and Social Services programs are the Question, Persuade, Refer method or QPR Suicide Prevention Program, focused on training people to recognize and respond to a mental health crisis, and the Fetal Infant Mortality Review program,the first of its kind in Washington State.
“Our commitment to the people of Thurston County to innovate as a team for the benefit of the community is central to our mission,” said County Manager Leonard Hernandez. “We are rooted, connected, and striving to support our thriving Thurston County. I am very proud of the hard work of our entire workforce.”
Visit Thurston County’s website for a full list of award-winning community programs and services.
