CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - Cuyahoga County has received two 2025 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. The recognition is for the Cuyahoga County Child Wellness Campus also known as the H.O.P.E Campus and the Cuyahoga County Toxicology Lab Modernization Project.

“Cuyahoga County is proud to see the Division of Children and Family Services and the Medical Examiner’s Office recognized by the National Association of Counties for exemplary service and innovation,” said County Executive Chris Ronayne. “Their hard work and dedication reflect the County’s commitment to providing residents the highest level of service and care, and to continually adapting to meet the changing needs of our communities.”

The H.O.P.E. Campus, in partnership with The Centers, is a collaborative effort to provide a safe and therapeutic environment for children with complex needs who are in County custody. Multiple child-serving agencies will come together on the campus to build a central hub for assessment, treatment, and placement, with an emphasis on rapid reunification and kinship support. The H.O.P.E. Campus is becoming a model for other communities aiming to address the needs of vulnerable youth.

“The H.O.P.E. Campus reflects the hard work and dedication of Cuyahoga County’s Division of Children and Family Services professionals along with many partner agencies, who have come together to develop a new model to provide individualized care and support for our most vulnerable children,” said Jacqueline Fletcher, Director of the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services. “I am incredibly proud of their efforts, and deeply appreciative of the organizations that are working to bring our collective vision to life.”

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office Toxicology Lab project modernized the lab’s IT infrastructure, enhancing overall cybersecurity and eliminating restrictive network barriers that previously required lab technicians to rely on manual paper processing. As a result, lab technicians are now able to perform data analysis remotely from their desktops, while increased visibility into the network allows for proactive monitoring and support from IT. This initiative has significantly improved operational efficiency, reduced resource consumption, and strengthened IT oversight, benefiting both the Medical Examiner’s Office and Cuyahoga County.

“The Toxicology Lab stands as a cornerstone of our work in the Medical Examiner’s Office, allowing our investigators access to critical, scientific information, that supports public health and forensic investigative efforts,” said Thomas P. Gilson, M.D., Cuyahoga County’s Medical Examiner. “The enhancements to the lab have not only increased efficiency, they’ve streamlined law enforcement investigations, increased public safety, and improved health and wellness outreach efforts.”

Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement and more. Launched in 1970, the program is designed to celebrate innovation in county government. Each nominated program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications.

“The Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments across the nation,” said NACo President James Gore. “This year’s winners highlight the dedication and creativity of county leaders and our teams to building thriving communities and providing the best possible services to our residents.”

Read more information about NACo’s Achievement Awards.