Imagine leaving the Maricopa County jail system with a substance abuse problem, no resources, no job prospects, and no hope. What are the odds of long-term success? Now enter the reality of Maricopa County’s Smart Justice initiatives, through which inmates with substance abuse problems are screened, receive intervention and referrals, and upon release are supported in their job searches.
The County’s award-winning Smart Justice Employment Team helps people with criminal backgrounds find employment by providing one-on-one career guidance, resume and interview support, and job training. In fact, the County recently won national recognition for our work to address the needs of those re-entering society after incarceration and to reduce recidivism in our community.
This is just one of our County programs honored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for modernizing county government and increasing services to our residents. NACo, an organization that unites the nation’s nearly 3,100 counties, recognized that our County programs have achieved measurable results worth sharing nationwide.
As the fastest growing county in the nation, Maricopa County is recognized for visionary county leadership that improves our residents’ quality of life. From helping the next generation breathe easier to using technology to provide best-in-class customer service, Maricopa County leads the way.
To see a list of all of our Achievement Award winners, please visit NACo Achievement Awards.