Prince William County Receives NACo and VACo Achievement Awards for Innovative Programs

Prince William County has been recognized with a total of five 2025 Achievement Awards, two from the National Association of Counties, or NACo, and three from the Virginia Association of Counties, or VACo, celebrating the county’s commitment to innovation, service delivery and model government practices. The honored programs include: 

• Route 234 Corridor Mobility Program – Department of Transportation (NACo & VACo) 
• Clinical Behavioral Health Staff Development Project – Department of Community Services (NACo) 
• Elections Open House – Office of Elections (VACo) 
• Re-Entry Center Program – Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center (VACo) 

Route 234 Corridor Mobility Program - Department of Transportation 

Prince William County’s Route 234 Corridor Mobility Program was recognized by both NACo and VACo for its innovative and coordinated approach to planning, design and funding. 

The program secured $391 million in external funding, covering 98 percent of the cost for 11 critical transportation projects along the Route 234 corridor. The county contributed just $9 million, maximizing return on investment while minimizing taxpayer burden. Improvements include new sidewalks, ADA-compliant ramps, bike and pedestrian trails, and the removal of two traffic signals replaced by grade-separated interchanges to reduce congestion and improve travel times. 

“This is a great accomplishment for Prince William County, and the award celebrates the county’s endeavors to provide a safe and innovative mobility network to the traveling public,” said the county’s Department of Transportation Director Rick Canizales. ”This award reflects the care and thought each member of the Transportation team puts into their work. It also reflects a strong collaborative effort between the county’s Planning Office, Department of Development Services and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.” 

Clinical Behavioral Health Staff Development Project – Department of Community Services 

The Department of Community Services was recognized by NACo for its Clinical Behavioral Health Program – Staff Development Project, an initiative launched in 2023 in collaboration with the county’s Office of Equity and Inclusion to enhance staff morale, cohesion and leadership skills, without requiring any additional funding. The program focused on developing leaders at every level, encouraging open communication, celebrating wins, and building a speak-up culture. It also aimed to reduce staff turnover and improve client outcomes.  

The results were clear; engagement within the department increased, staff morale improved, as did client care. Staff exceeded state requirements for direct service hours to clients, and recent surveys showed no comments related to dissatisfaction of case management services.  

“This award affirms our approach,” said Community Services Acting Director Georgia Bachman. “This team’s effort went beyond surface changes. Staff had the courage to challenge the status quo, and leadership listened and acted on their feedback to build a more open, respectful culture. That shift didn’t just strengthen the team—it led to better care and stronger outcomes for the people we serve.” 

Elections Open House – Office of Elections 

The Prince William County Office of Elections received the VACo Award for its successful Open House event held in August 2024, which welcomed more than 300 attendees for a behind-the-scenes look at the election process. The two-day event offered transparency and education at a time when misinformation continues to challenge public trust in elections.  

Highlights of the Open House included hands-on demonstrations of voting equipment; presentations on voter registration, mail voting and results reporting; and an overview of how election officer teams are staffed across the county’s 103 precincts. Attendees also received guided tours of the elections office, where they observed security protocols and examples of administrative procedures in action. The event was organized entirely within the office’s existing budget and was staffed by in-house employees, presenters and volunteers. 

“Many people who came in with concerns, left feeling much better about the integrity of our elections,” said Director of Elections, Eric Olsen. “The Open House gave the public an opportunity to see the hundreds of security and accountability steps that go into running every single election.” 

Due to high demand and positive feedback, a second Open House is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025. The event is free, but registration is required. Visit pwcvotes.org to sign up.  

Re-Entry Center Program – Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center 

The Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center, or ADC, received a VACo Achievement Award for its Re-Entry Center Program, which addresses the challenges of reintegration through a comprehensive, person-centered approach. Opened in February 2024 as an expansion of the ADC’s existing re-entry efforts, the center supports returning residents with critical resources such as food, clothing, housing referrals, mental health counseling, peer support and job readiness training. 

By tackling barriers like trauma, stigma, addiction and unstable employment, the center works to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Staff collaborate with local partners, including George Mason University and Prince William County Department of Community Services, shelters and state and county agencies to connect individuals with long-term support systems. The program has already served more than 370 people and is designed to be cost-effective and self-sustaining, helping returning residents rebuild their lives, rejoin the workforce and contribute to stronger, healthier communities.  

“When returning citizens successfully reintegrate into society, families are reunited, children regain parental support and entire neighborhoods become more stable and resilient,” said ADC Lt. Syed Naqvi. “When the public sees a system that focuses not just on punishment but on rehabilitation and reintegration, it builds faith in institutions and promotes social cohesion.” 

Together, these award-winning programs highlight Prince William County’s dedication to serving its residents with creativity, compassion and purpose. 

“These awards are a testament to Prince William County’s commitment to innovation and excellence in public service,” said County Executive Chris Shorter. “Whether it’s modernizing our transportation infrastructure, building public trust in our elections, or supporting residents through re-entry or behavioral health services, these programs reflect how we are delivering meaningful, people-centered solutions that improve quality of life across the county.”