CSAC Challenge Awards Now Open

The 2025 CSAC Challenge Awards are now officially open! The Challenge Awards recognize counties finding new, effective and cost-saving implementations to provide programs and services to their citizens. CSAC recognized 16 programs across 11 counties in 2024. Submit an entry to add your county’s work to the growing list of innovative award-winning programs addressing a range of issues from waste management technology to public safety programs. It is a great opportunity to recognize the staff, resources and practices in developing transformations in county government!

Eligibility requirements include programs that are developed, managed, or funded by a county department or agency.  Multi-county programs are eligible. All entries are limited to one per category. If there is an entry that is inter-departmental, select the entry category that best fits the nature of that program.

Entry categories reflect the main priorities across CSAC’s platforms and policy areas:

• Administration of Justice & Public Safety – Includes programs associated with local law enforcement and public safety, adult and juvenile detention, and probation.
• Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources – Includes programs associated with agriculture, the environment, air quality, water, flood control, energy, parks and recreation, public lands, forestry, mining, endangered species, solid waste, and hazardous waste.
• Government Finance, Administration & Technology – Includes programs associated with internal operations, employee training and wellness, workers’ compensation, public records, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology, economic development, libraries, elections, and food safety.
• Health & Human Services – Includes programs associated with health care, mental health, homelessness, foster care, child welfare services, adult protective services, IHSS, general assistance, aging, CalWORKs, first 5 programs, county hospitals/medical facilities, the indigent, and veterans.
• Housing, Land Use & Infrastructure – Includes programs associated with housing, land use, growth, planning, transportation, infrastructure, and tribal gaming issues.

Entries must be submitted via the CSAC Member Portal. The cost to participate is $100 per entry.

Our selection committee for the Challenge Awards includes a panel of county and private sector officials to judge all entries. Some criteria to be taken into consideration include innovation, resourcefulness, vision, uniqueness, enhancement of the community, replicability and conformity to Entry instructions.

The deadline to submit an entry is September 12, 2025. Any questions about the Entry Process or Member Log In Portal can be directed to inquiries@counties.org.