NEW CASTLE, DE — New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer recently announced the County has been recognized with two Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
New Castle County was recognized for its work with Vacant Spaces to Livable Places initiative and Pay for Success Contract for Home Visiting for First Time Moms. VSLP is a multi-agency effort addressing vacant housing and repurposing properties for occupied homes and improved communities. Since the beginning of the program, New Castle County has collected over $3.5 million in delinquent taxes and turned more than 700 vacant homes and lots into occupied homes.
New Castle County was also recognized for their work with “Pay for Success Contract for Home Visiting for First Time Moms” where New Castle County partnered with Social Finance and the nonprofit Children & Families First (CFF) to expand access to high-quality prenatal and postnatal health care to 120 first-time, Medicaid-eligible mothers living in the county. The program began in the winter of 2023 using the Nurse-Family Partnership model, which pairs mothers with specialized registered nurses who offer home-based care to support healthy pregnancies and improve childhood health.
“These recognitions are nice, but ultimately they come from the right place – looking to help our neighbors and improve their quality of life,” said County Executive Meyer. “This is also a testament to the incredible hard work done by countless County employees doing the work.”
Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards are given in 18 categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and more. Launched in 1970, the program is designed to recognize innovation in county government. Each nominated program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications.
“The Achievement Awards demonstrate excellence in county government and the commitment to serve our residents every day,” said NACo President Denise Winfrey. “This year’s winners represent some of the most innovative and collaborative efforts we have seen in over 50 years of presenting these awards.”
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