Chesterfield County earns six statewide achievement awards
VENN
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Chesterfield County is once again being recognized as a leader in local government innovation, bringing home six Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Achievement Awards for 2025 — more than any other county in the state.
Among the awards, Chesterfield received VACo’s Best Large County Achievement Award for its Court Navigator program, which helps families better navigate the juvenile court process.
The program, created through Chesterfield Adolescent Resource Pathways (CARP), was designed after community feedback revealed that families often felt overwhelmed or confused about court expectations. That lack of understanding frequently led to families returning to court without completing required steps.
(Photo: Chesterfield County)
Court Navigators now step in to guide families through the process, helping with services, paperwork and payments. The initiative has improved compliance, reduced repeat court visits and boosted the efficiency of the juvenile court system.
This year’s competition saw a record 155 submissions, with just 57 recognized statewide. Chesterfield’s six winning entries include programs focused on public safety, Spanish-speaking residents, addiction recovery, libraries, and planning transparency:
- Court Navigator
- Café Con La Comunidad
- Expanding Electronic Monitoring: Chesterfield Tackles Justice by Geography
- HARP Acu-Wellness Program
- Planning Pending Cases Application
- Targeted Outreach: A Data-Informed Library Strategy
Since the awards program began in 2002, Chesterfield has received at least one honor every year, leading the state with 60 total awards. Henrico ranks second with 51 and Loudoun third with 34.
County leaders praised the recognition as a reflection of the workforce’s creativity and dedication.
“Our employees continue to lead the way across Virginia and have impressed all of us again with their expertise and ingenuity,” said County Administrator Dr. Joe Casey. “Winning these awards, including the coveted Best Large County Achievement, is a testament to the workforce we have, the culture that we’ve built together, the tireless support from our Board of Supervisors, and most importantly the quality of the community we are thankful to serve.”
Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Ingle (Bermuda District) echoed that sentiment.
“Their work reflects a culture of innovation that runs throughout our local government and grows Chesterfield’s reputation for being a top place in which to live, learn, work and play,” he said.
