One of the most gratifying parts of my job is traveling to counties throughout the state and learning about the innovative programs that are recipients of the annual CSAC Challenge Awards. Not only do I have an opportunity to see how the programs are making a difference at the local level, but I am able to meet the hardworking staff who have taken those innovative ideas from concept to reality.

And so I invite you to enter CSAC 2019 Challenge Awards.

When outgoing CSAC President Leticia Perez was addressing the Association membership at last week’s Annual Meeting, she talked about how she found every-other-year of the conference to be bittersweet. That has nothing to do with the quality of the conference, but rather because it was a time to bid goodbye to colleagues who are leaving office.

When it comes to developing innovative, successful programs, Sacramento County’s Probation Department is on a roll.

Much like the San Francisco Giants recent run of winning World Series in even-numbered years, the Sacramento County Probation Department is following a similar trend by taking home CSAC Challenge Award honors in 2014, 2016 and now 2018. CSAC spotlights the most innovative programs created by California Counties each year through our awards program.

Please click here to watch a brief video about the program.

The Los Angeles County Public Works office building in the City of Alhambra stands out ominously against the surrounding cityscape. Its stark, blue-tinted windows exemplify the symmetry and seamlessness of the building’s cube shape. Outside, along one side of the building, another project stands out – but in a different way than the structure that looms overhead. Brilliant colors from blooming flowers and plants are abundant; you can hear the buzzing of bees and smell numerous fragrances.

Please click here to watch a brief video about this program.

“The world is full of complex social problems for which no reliable, cost-effective solutions have been found. Homelessness is not one of them.”

– Rosanne Haggerty (President & CEO, Community Solutions)

That quote is becoming somewhat of a motto in Santa Barbara County among those engaged in the quest to reduce homelessness. And in Santa Barbara County, that motto has come alive through the creation of a unique collaborative among numerous local government, nonprofit, private sector, faith-based organizations, as well as numerous other stakeholders.

Please click here to watch a brief video about the program.

If you research competitive mock trials on the Internet, you learn that they take place in numerous countries around the world. In the United States, students participate in them at the college, high school and even middle school levels.  But finding anything about mock trials involving incarcerated youths is a search that begins and ends with San Bernardino County.

Please click here to watch a brief video about the program.

We all know about California’s Adopt A Highway program that’s been in existence for more than 25 years. But few people know about a similar program in Orange County that’s keeping flood-control  channels free of litter and graffiti. It’s called the Adopt A Channel program and it’s making a positive environmental, scenic and fiscal impact on the County.

Please click here to watch a brief video about this program.

At the Northern California Construction Training Center in Sacramento County, you can find a number of probationers hard at work learning new crafts. And over the sound of hammers and buzz saws, a four-letter word is frequently heard. That word is H-O-P-E.

For many of those taking part in this career training, it’s the first time they’ve  had any hope in a long, long time – thanks to a joint program created by the Sacramento County Probation Department, County Office of Education and the nonprofit Northern California Construction Training (NCCT).

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. — John F. Kennedy

There’s something in the water in Amador County. Perhaps it’s passion for public service, a desire to learn and lead, or just a commitment to improving the lives of others. Call it what you want, but the rural county of 37,000 residents is demonstrating its leadership at the state level in a big – and very unique – way.

To watch a short video about the program, click here.

That noise you may have heard? That was Yuba County blowing up the belief that the wheels of government turn slowly. In a mere two-months’ time, the County – in collaboration with various local partners – developed, built and opened a new temporary housing program for the homeless.

We recently had the pleasure of spotlighting 12 county best practices during National County Government Month. These innovative programs were recipients of the 2015 CSAC Challenge Awards.

For the past few months, CSAC communications staff has been on the road to learn more about these programs for the videos and blogs we produced. We traveled from San Diego to Amador, Los Angeles to Mendocino.

Please watch a short video about this program here.

As the defendant steps up for his court hearing, Judge Denine Guy comments how he is wearing a different Star Wars T-shirt from his last appearance. She asks him how many he has and he replies, “Six or seven.” In a legal system where misdemeanors are often looked at in terms of specific case numbers rather than the individuals behind them, Judge Guy’s comments stand out. She remembers this defendant; she knows his story and what it will take to help him turn his life around.

Please watch a short video about the program here.

When Adult Protective Services specialist Kimberly Ingram talks about San Diego County’s protocols to help protect acutely vulnerable adults, her eyes well up. She knows that these innovative protocols are making a difference – and saving lives.  That’s a major reason why this program was honored in 2015 with CSAC’s “California Counties Innovation Award.”

Facing new challenges is nothing new for our 58 counties. It might be a natural disaster, such as a wildfire, flood or the drought; or it could be a new policy instituted by the state or federal government, such public safety realignment or the Affordable Care Act. CSAC’s annual Challenge Awards program – which recognizes the most innovative, cost-effective programs developed by our counties – regularly shows that county officials and staff are up to the task.

CSAC has also produced a video on the Rocky Fire and the valuable role of county collaboration. You can view it here.

I am standing next to Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin on a hilltop looking out at the devastated landscape caused by the Rocky Fire.  Nearby are the ruins of a residence and a burned out vehicle.  Although fire roared through this area two days prior, you can still feel the heat rising up off the hillside. Wisps of smoke are tell-tale signs that the fire – with just enough wind – could re-emerge in this area. The Sheriff doesn’t like what he sees and feels and requests that we leave the area immediately. I don’t argue.