Orange County Earns Trio of NACo Achievement Awards Adapted from an Orange County Press Release dated July 13, 2026
Orange County is excited to be recognized for three outstanding programs by the National Association of Counties (NACo). The Community Paramedic Program, Interactive Opioid Response Map, and 2025 Elementary School Flag Football Tournament were each honored with a NACo Achievement Award for their innovative approaches to serving our residents.
The Community Paramedic program was created by our Fire & EMS Department in response to rising non-emergent 911 calls and gaps in access to health and social services. Focused on three key areas, including fall prevention, high-frequency EMS use reduction, and short- term resource assistance, the program made significant progress in its first year. In 2025, the program completed 161 home visits, enrolled 48 residents, and celebrated 42 program graduates who met their care ‑ plan goals. Reductions in EMS use were observed across all focus areas. More information about the program is available at www.orangecountyva.gov/1176/Community-Paramedic-Program.
In a similar effort to address service gaps, the Interactive Opioid Response Viewer provides a new solution to support individuals and families impacted by opioid use. Developed through a partnership between Orange County’s Opioid Response Program, Epidemic Intelligence Council (EpIC), and the GIS program of our Information Technology Department, the interactive tool provides categorized, location-based resource information in an easy-to-use map format. Making information more readily available reduces barriers to service and promotes information sharing among providers. It is available at www.orangecountyva.gov/845/Resources-Events.
Already honored with a 2026 Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Award in May, the 2025 Elementary School Flag Football Tournament was a new program made possible by a partnership between our Parks & Recreation Department and the Orange County High School Football program. Each participating elementary school was able to field two teams, one for fourth ‑ grade students and one for fifth ‑ grade students. Following a week of practices, the tournament packed the stands at Porterfield Park with parents and spectators, building community pride while providing an opportunity for young athletes to enjoy their moment in the spotlight. More information about the event is available in the March 2025 edition of the Orange County Insight newsletter.
“I am so proud of the efforts that made these three NACo Award recognitions possible,” said Glenda Paul, Orange County Administrator. “The diverse nature of the awards is especially exciting; it demonstrates that our staff are going above and beyond across departmental lines and are working together in new ways to benefit our residents. Receiving awards is always exciting, but it is the purpose behind the programs and recognition that truly matters,” she added.
For more information about NACo Achievement Awards, visit www.naco.org.
3
OCI July 2026
Powered by FlippingBook