The National Association of Counties (NACo) honored the Oakland County Board of Commissioners with three 2017 Achievement Awards, recognizing programs designed to promote gun safety, prevent school bullying, and aid with urgent local road repairs.
“These programs are great examples of what can happen when we work together as a team to tackle serious issues facing our communities,” stated Board Chairman Michael J. Gingell (R-Lake Orion). “Together, acting in a bi-partisan and responsible manner, the Board of Commissioners sought out effective partners to leverage limited resources to deliver real results. On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, we are grateful for the recognition and will strive to continue to operate at this high standard of excellence.”
“Oakland County is leading the way for protecting our kids, keeping our communities safe, and investing in roads and local infrastructure,” said Commissioner David Woodward (D-Royal Oak). “These very successful programs are the result of great partnerships with our schools, local law enforcement, and our cities. These awards recognize that when we invest in our future, our families, and our communities we all win.”
The Board of Commissioners 2017 NACo Achievement Awards are:
• Lock-It-Up Oakland
Category: Civic Education and Public Information.
The Oakland County Lock-It-Up Oakland campaign is a partnership program between the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Project ChildSafe, Crime Stoppers, and over 30 local law enforcement agencies. The campaign initiated a method of maximizing the impact of Oakland County’s limited available resources to build public awareness on the benefits of safe firearm storage practices and to promote responsible gun ownership. In addition, the Lock-It-Up program has provided an opportunity for local law enforcement agencies, along with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, to distribute literature, provide free gun safety locks and utilize technology to increase public awareness around this important issue.
“The Sheriff’s Office was honored to partner with other stakeholders on a program aimed at curtailing unnecessary gun tragedies,” said Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard. “I have witnessed far too many senseless deaths, particularly with children, due to improper gun storage and safety precautions. Bringing this issue to light and giving residents free gun locks will potentially prevent future incidents.”
The Oakland County IT/eGovernment Team played an integral role in the success of the Lock-It-Up Oakland initiative by developing a website for the program and creating a strategic social media campaign, including the use of videos, to promote it to the public.
“The IT eGovernment team was honored to work with the Board of Commissioners and Sheriff’s Office to promote Lock-It-Up Oakland through the County’s digital channels,” said Kaitlin Keeler, digital editorial manager. “By promoting the Lock-It-Up Oakland message on digital and social media, we were able to educate and engage citizens on the importance of gun safety as well as how to obtain free gun locks and safe coupons. Following a mobile first strategy, we were able to get this vital information into the hands of the public.”
• “Expanded Safe and Healthy Kids Program to Prevent School Bullying”
Category: Children and Youth.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners established a partnership with Oakland Schools for an Expanded Safe and Healthy Kids Program to Prevent School Bullying. The program promoted awareness and strategies to combat bullying in Oakland County schools. It utilized limited funds to make a meaningful investment in the county’s future by cultivating safe learning environments for our children. The program offered specialized training and workshops for educators and administrators in partnership with the Oakland Intermediate School District. Schools that have implemented the Bully-Free Schools strategies report up to an 83% reduction in bullying, harassment and other peer-to-peer aggression. As a part of the workshop’s program curriculum, 1,030 educators and community stakeholders benefited from these trainings.
“Bullying is a serious public health problem, one that requires strong community partnerships to be most effective in prevention and intervention,” stated Julie McDaniel, a student engagement consultant specializing in Social Emotional Learning at Oakland Schools. “We are so grateful that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners joined us in the bullying prevention efforts in our schools. With the generous funding from the commissioners, Oakland Schools was able to enhance its professional learning on research and evidence-based initiatives that help build stronger and more supportive cultures where bullying cannot flourish.”
• Pilot Local Road Improvement Matching Fund Program
Category: Community and Economic Development.
The Oakland County Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) is a partnership with local governments designed to maximize the impact of the county’s limited available resources to address immediate road repair needs and spur economic development in cities and villages. The program provided an opportunity for local municipalities to apply for matching fund grants based upon their population, road miles and crash data. Overall, Oakland County was able to leverage an investment of less than $1 million into $8 million worth of road repair and maintenance programs.
“It comes as no surprise that Oakland County would step up and provide road funding assistance to its local communities at a time when other resources continue to be reduced,” said Kevin McDaniel, mayor of Auburn Hills. “We applaud all Oakland County officials who have supported this initiative and thank them for their generosity and foresight,” he added.
For additional information, visit www.naco.org/programs/achievement-awards.
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