Palm Beach County programs earn national recognition, rank second in Florida
Key Points(5)
- Palm Beach County has received 39 national Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), ranking second among Florida counties for the number of awards earned.
- The annual NACo awards recognise innovative and effective county government programmes that improve services and quality of life for residents across the United States.
- “Across every department, we continue to find innovative ways to promote efficiency, modernise operations and implement more cost-effective ways to serve our residents,” said County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo.
- “I want to thank the Board of County Commissioners for providing the vision, direction and support that make these programmes possible,” he added.
- Among the programmes recognised for their direct impact on residents was the Doggy Day Out Ambassador Program , which takes shelter dogs into public spaces to increase their visibility and improve adoption opportunities.
Palm Beach County has received 39 national Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), ranking second among Florida counties for the number of awards earned.
The annual NACo awards recognise innovative and effective county government programmes that improve services and quality of life for residents across the United States.
Sixteen Palm Beach County departments and divisions were recognised across a range of areas, including county administration and management, information technology, human services, community and economic development, criminal justice and public safety, as well as civic education and public information.
“Across every department, we continue to find innovative ways to promote efficiency, modernise operations and implement more cost-effective ways to serve our residents,” said County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo.
“I want to thank the Board of County Commissioners for providing the vision, direction and support that make these programmes possible,” he added.
Among the programmes recognised for their direct impact on residents was the Doggy Day Out Ambassador Program, which takes shelter dogs into public spaces to increase their visibility and improve adoption opportunities.
Since launching in 2025, ambassador dogs have spent more than 300 hours outside the shelter, and every dog featured by the Board of County Commissioners has been adopted.
The County’s Community Services Department received multiple awards for initiatives aimed at improving access to food and support services, including Closing the Senior Hunger Gap: A County–Food Bank Partnership Model and the Food & Nutrition Program Application, developed in partnership with the Office of Technology and Innovation.
The programmes use community partnerships and distribution sites to expand access to nutritious food for residents.
Several initiatives supporting people experiencing homelessness were also recognised, including the Homeless Activity Reporter, a coordinated reporting system that helps outreach teams connect individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness with shelter, behavioural health resources and housing services.
The Homeless Multi-Disciplinary Case Conferencing and Homeless Outreach Team Integration programmes were also honoured for improving coordination among county staff, healthcare providers and community partners.
The Family Medical Respite Program, which provides recovery housing and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness after hospital discharge, also received recognition.
Public safety initiatives were among the award-winning programmes, including Schools in Pools, a partnership led by the Parks and Recreation Department that provides free swimming lessons and water safety education.
Since April 2024, the programme has served more than 380 children, helping reduce drowning risks in underserved communities.
Technology-focused initiatives were also recognised for improving efficiency and access to county services. The Community Services Department AI Chatbot, developed with the Office of Technology and Innovation, provides residents with 24-hour access to information and assistance.
The Facility Permitting System was also recognised for modernising facility reservation and permitting processes through a streamlined digital platform.
Emergency preparedness and community engagement efforts received awards as well. The Navigating an Emergency Road Closure Through Planning and Collaboration programme highlighted coordination between Engineering and Public Works, Fire Rescue, Public Affairs and partner agencies during a roadway closure that affected nearly 50,000 daily commuters.
The Know Your Flood Risk: A Countywide FEMA Map Outreach Initiative, developed by Planning, Zoning and Building, helped residents understand updated flood risks and mitigation measures following FEMA map changes affecting more than 16,000 properties in 2024.
The Library System’s Service Expansion to West Boynton was also recognised for expanding access to educational, digital and enrichment opportunities through a permanent community resource hub.
Additional award-winning programmes included initiatives from the Administration, Community Services, Criminal Justice Commission, Library System, Office of Technology and Innovation, Facilities Development and Operations, Youth Services, Ombudsman and Strategic Planning, Palm Tran, Planning, Zoning and Building, and Public Safety departments.
Palm Beach County ranked second in Florida for the number of NACo Achievement Awards received, behind Miami-Dade County.
