Erie County programs lead state with 5 national awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT:
Melissa J. Dixon
mdixon@eriecountypa.gov
814-812-0089
Erie, PA – Erie County government continues to lead the state of Pennsylvania in receiving National Association of Counties Achievement Awards for county programs and services. Out of seven awards in Pennsylvania, five were awarded to Erie County programs.
The following Erie County programs received Achievement Awards this year:
- Erie County Veterans: Volunteers ‘Leave No Man Behind’ – the Erie County Department of Veterans Affairs’ involvement in the Virtual Wall of Faces is part of an ongoing national effort dedicated to recovering photographs of each of the Vietnam Veterans whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Wall) located in Washington, D.C. (Volunteers category)
- Medication-Assisted Treatment for Prescription Drug & Opioid Addiction – the Erie County Office of Drug & Alcohol Abuse manages this project locally to increase access to Medication-Assisted Treatment and recovery supports in order to decrease opioid-related deaths. (Human Services category)
- Partnering with Helpers: Peer Navigators in the Library – the Erie County Public Library, the Erie County Department of Health and the Mental Health Association of Northwest Pennsylvania collaborated to address the need to provide timely, accurate and experienced information and methodology to individuals in need where they naturally congregate. (Libraries category)
- Seed Library – the Erie County Public Library and the Erie County Department of Health collaborated to bring this program to the Edinboro Branch library, who provides the space, a card catalog for seed storage, seed library literature, volunteers and staff, with focus areas surrounding access to healthy foods for all people, but especially for those who live in food deserts. (Libraries category)
- Total Change Program (a component of Climate Changers Inc.) – the Erie County Department of Corrections offers this unique endeavor to combat the increased number of ex-offenders who return to prison. (Criminal Justice and Public Safety category)
“Like so many other things, the focus on this year’s submission process was derailed by COVID-19, so we are thrilled that these important programs are being recognized nationally as we continue to set an example for other counties,” said County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper.
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