Congratulations to the 2025 Civic Excellence in Innovation Award winners! The awards program received nearly 50 applications this year, highlighting the great work taking place across North Carolina counties. After a thorough review by county leaders, staff, and previous award winners, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) and Civic Federal Credit Union are proud to name 10 outstanding projects as recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Innovation Awards.
Cumberland County – Healthy Conversations
This initiative, launched by Cumberland County, engages residents through open, accessible, and culturally responsive dialogue about health. Healthy Conversations trains barbers and stylists as lay health educators to address disparities in heart health, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer — conditions with limited prevention funding and significant impacts in the local community.
Since launching, lay health educators have facilitated more than 2,000 health conversations; each conversation was followed by a post-interaction survey capturing data on demographics, behavioral intent, and health awareness. Forty percent of conversations were follow-ups, allowing barbers and stylists to offer further education and promote healthy habits in the local community.
Click here to learn more about the initiative.
Cumberland County – Social Work Simulation Training
In an effort to support new and seasoned staff in the Cumberland County Department of Social Services, a new software program that focuses on building the skills of Child Welfare Social Workers and preparing them for success in their roles was implemented. By adopting this program, the social services department can train and support staff while enhancing the quality of care provided to children and families.
After extensive research on various software and real-world training programs, Cumberland County came upon a unique opportunity. The University of Utah, College of Social Work paired with the university’s Therapeutic Games and Apps Lab to produce a Virtual Social Work Trainer software program that focuses on building the skills of child welfare social workers. In exchange for the use of the software, the University of Utah receives user feedback and data (with all identifiable information removed), which is then used in making improvements to the software. There are training modules to build skills in assessing safety and risk, social worker safety, and more.
Click here to learn more about the program.
Durham County – Durham County Board of Elections ‘DCo Votes’ Mobile Application
Launched in September 2024, the Durham County ‘DCo Votes’ mobile application was designed to centralize and simplify access to election information for Durham County residents. This application offers residents a trustworthy and user-friendly resource for official election information and ensures residents, regardless of background or digital literacy, can easily access essential information and services provided by the Board of Elections.
Since April 2025, the application has been downloaded by more than 3,500 Apple and Android users and has delivered timely notifications on a range of topics such as building closures, early voting reminders, and election day tips. This application has not only improved the speed and clarity of voter communication in Durham County but also set a strong foundation for future enhancements.
Click here to read more about the mobile application.
Durham County – Partnering for Progress: Durham County’s Spanish Language Programming
Durham County is a rapidly expanding community with over a fifth of its residents speaking a language other than English at home. In partnering with universities, non-profits, and other organizations, the Durham County Library began incorporating and promoting bilingual and Spanish-language programming. By hosting programs and creating resources targeted specifically to Spanish speakers, the library is able to meet the needs of individuals who would otherwise face linguistic barriers to inclusion and to welcome impassioned participants into the library community.
Over the course of 2024, library staff offered 92 programs with more than 1,600 individuals attending. Twenty-six sessions of Homework con Amigos were held and welcomed more than 1,000 participants. October’s Fiesta de la Cultura welcomed more than 1,100 attendees for over a dozen events throughout the library system. These numbers only scratch the surface of the programming provided, and the Durham County Library is working to continue to be a more inclusive system.
Click here to learn more about Durham County Spanish-language programming.
Halifax County – Improving Communication & Efficiency in the Tax Department
Each year prior to 2024, the Halifax County Tax Department faced a recurring challenge: How could its employees, spread across two buildings and multiple sections, achieve the department’s core mission of accurately assessing taxable property and collecting tax bills in a timely manner? With no dedicated IT staff or software support assigned to the tax department, management worked to implement Microsoft apps like Teams, Planner, and Power Automate across all staff. Existing staff have been excited to learn new ways to do old jobs, and the department is looking forward to eliminating communication and efficiency obstacles for the next generation of tax employees.
Before the Microsoft apps implementations, the tax collector had a difficult time tracking foreclosure action due to limited reporting from the billing and collection software. But now, with Planner, she is able to track payments from property owners and easily note when actions have ended. The unofficial motto of the Halifax County tax department is “taxpayers serving taxpayers,” and the staff can now fulfill that commitment more effectively than ever.
Iredell County – Mobile Health Unit
The Iredell County Mobile Health Unit bridges the gap by delivering essential healthcare services directly to communities in need. The unit addresses critical health challenges and visits communities where many clients are unable to easily access care. Beyond offering direct services, the Mobile Health Unit has fostered trust within numerous communities by removing barriers like transportation and cost — ensuring equitable access to care and improving overall community health.
The vehicle and equipment were bought with funds from the COVID-19 grant and the Medicaid Maximization grant. No appointments are needed to use the unit’s services, but organizations in Iredell County can submit a request to host or book the Mobile Health Unit for events.
Click here to find more information about the Mobile Health Unit.
Martin County – Expanding Career & Technical Education to Enhance Economic Growth
Like many rural areas, Martin County faces significant workforce shortages in critical sectors. With a desire to retain local talent and implement innovative approaches that connect high school students to career opportunities, Martin County Schools partnered with other county organizations to expand the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. The CTE Pathway Program not only prepares students for high-demand careers through hands-on learning, industry shadowing, career exploration, and more, but also continues to support county economic growth.
In the 2024-25 school year, over 200 students enrolled in dual-credit courses at Martin Community College, supporting both early college and technical education pathways. The 2025 Student Showcase and Career Fair attracted over 700 students and more than 50 business, military, and educational partners — providing students with real-world insights into career paths and reflecting the program’s impact on workforce readiness.
Click here to learn more about the program.
New Hanover County – 911 CARE Team
The nature of the New Hanover County emergency response system often places 911 telecommunicators, law enforcement, and emergency medical personnel in situations where they serve residents on their worst day. The 911 CARE Team ensures trained mental health professionals respond to nonviolent behavioral health needs — alleviating the strain on 911 system resources and connecting residents to appropriate care. The CARE Team also provides mental health first aid to telecommunicators during and immediately after traumatic calls.
The team has conducted over 2,000 interventions since April 2025 and achieved an impressive 97% resolution rate. The work of the 911 CARE Team has also reduced the number of nonviolent crisis calls handled by police — freeing law enforcement for high-priority incidents and improving overall public safety response. Additionally, the community has benefited from increased trust in emergency services, as the team provides compassionate and effective crisis support.
Click here to learn more about the emergency response system.
New Hanover County – Community Resource Portal
The Community Resource Portal, launched in March 2024, addresses the need for a centralized, accessible resource directory in New Hanover County. The digital portal offers real-time updates and acts as a critical bridge between individuals seeking assistance and available services, with sustained usage reinforcing its role in supporting those affected by mental health and substance use challenges.
Since March 2025, the portal has accumulated more than 10,500 views across desktop and mobile versions. In addition to tracking engagement through view counts, a feedback system is in place that allows individuals to share their experiences, report issues, and suggest improvements. New Hanover County strives to maintain strong relationships with the various service providers featured on the portal and with residents accessing the resources.
Click here to view the resource portal.
Rutherford County – SHARE for Foster Care
The Rutherford County Department of Social Services partnered with Dogwood Health Trust to build a dedicated foster home on the campus. As the county has faced a serious shortage of foster homes, this new building offers a safe and comfortable place for children until suitable placement can be found. The home also serves as a site for family visitations and reduces the need for county staff to travel long distances for placements.
As of April 2025, 170 children are in the county’s care, with an additional 10 to 20 entering into care each month. With the new home located on the campus, children will have a safe, comfortable, and home-like environment to stay in while awaiting placement.
Click here for more information about the foster care system in Rutherford County.
Click here to learn more about the Civic Excellence in Innovation Awards and see past winners.