Homeless Prevention; Arts & Culture Get National Awards

Posted on: Jul 3rd, 2014 | News and Announcements

WASHINGTON, D.C. ? For years, Mobile County has taken a lead role in prevention of homelessness in Mobile County and this month it is being honored with a national award for its efforts. At the same time it is getting another national award for its critical role in keeping music education in the local public schools. The National Association of Counties (NACo), representing counties through the country, recognized Mobile County?s Homeless Prevention Project as the Best of Category in the category of Human Services. The project identifies people on the verge of becoming homeless and takes necessary steps to keep them in their homes. To this end, Mobile County has allocated Community Development Block Grant funds to Legal Services Alabama to help these families to stay in their homes and secure allowable benefits and services. To date, 508 cases have been closed, resulting in almost $969,000 in financial benefits to clients as well as to the community. ?It?s a lot less expensive to help these families on the front end than it is to serve families in crisis who are homeless,? said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood NACo also selected Mobile County as the 2014 NACo Arts and Culture Award winner. The award recognizes the county for its critical part in keeping the Mobile Symphony Orchestra?s strings programs in the public schools. The county been ?instrumental? in providing what is the only music instruction in a majority of the schools. ?Study after study has shown that studying music correlates to higher test scores, increased verbal skills, and lower drop-out rates,? noted Mobile County Commission president Connie Hudson. ?In addition, when companies are looking at Mobile County, they expect the schools to deliver these kinds of critical educational programs.? NACo President Linda Langston, Supervisor, Linn County, Iowa, said, ?The National Association of Counties applauds county governments that are finding new and better ways to serve their constituents. The Achievement Awards recognize counties? outstanding efforts to be more effective and more responsive to the diverse needs of communities across the country.? Nationally, awards are given in 21 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, environmental protection, information technology, health and many more. Started in 1970, NACo?s annual Achievement Award Program is an effort designed to recognize innovative county government programs. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. ### The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo assists America?s 3,069 counties in pursuing excellence in public service to produce healthy, vibrant, safe and resilient counties. NACo promotes sound public policies, fosters county solutions and innovation, promotes intergovernmental and public-private collaboration and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money. More information at: www.naco.org.