1999 Outstanding Program Awards

Submission Categories (click below to see the submissions in each category)

Public/Private/Non-Profit Partnerships * Human Resources/Training * Purchasing & Fleet Management * Public Works * General Governmental Services * Technology/Technology Application

1999 NASCA Outstanding Program Award Winners

The National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) announced the winners of the 1999 NASCA Outstanding Program Awards on August 24, 1999 during its annual conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In its fifth year, the NASCA's awards program rewards innovation, leadership, creativity and progress in the business of state government. This year, forty-four submissions from a total of 18 states were received for consideration.

Overall Award For Innovation
The Alaska state government was awarded this top Award for two entries. These were the DMV Partnership Program and Workplace Alaska. Facing declining budgets, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) determined partnerships, rather than contracts, with the private sector had a definite advantage in providing services. Services such as drivers licensing, emission inspections and disabled/handicapped parking permits are part of the partnership program. Workplace Alaska is an on-line recruitment, application and hiring process for state of Alaska classified service positions.

First Place Award winners are listed below under the six categories:

Public/Private/Non-Profit Partnerships
Vermont - Development of Rest Exits and Oasis Program To address issues developing from a decaying system of rest areas and welcome centers, Vermont initiated a program to increase the number of information/hospitality centers across the state. One strategy to achieve this was through partnering with private-sector businesses located at interstate interchanges to provide visitor services to the traveling public.

Human Resources/Training
New Mexico - Civil Rights Training
With costs and number of civil rights claims growing rapidly, New Mexico created a civil rights training program to make upper management aware of employment related issues; provide basic skills in dealing with these issues; reduce the frequency and severity of claims; make agencies more responsible for losses by paying deductibles and; reduce time consuming process associated with the claims.

Purchasing and Fleet Management
North Carolina - Rebuild/Refurbish State Vehicles
The Motor Fleet Management Division developed a pilot project rebuilding state-owned full-size rear wheel drive vehicles instead of purchasing new vehicles. Although the rebuild is comprehensive, savings averaged approximately $8,000 per vehicle over the purchase of a new vehicle. With an increased demand by state agencies, the budget can now be stretched to accommodate the increased demand and mileage rates do not have to be increased.

Public Works
Washington - Plant Operations Support Consortium
The Plant Operations Support Consortium created a central clearinghouse, focal point and resource brokerage specifically for facility managers, to foster teamwork and result in efficiencies and cost savings.

General Governmental Services
Arizona - Risk Management
The Risk Management section is the state's insurance company and is responsible for adjusting claims for workers' compensation injuries as well as property liability and environmental losses; self insuring these various types of losses, and/or purchase commercial insurance to offset them; and employing safety measures to proactive prevent accidents/incidents which could five rise to claims.

Technology/Technology Application
Washington - Office of State Procurement/Materials Management Center
The manual ordering process been replaced by an interactive point and click ordering process available to any customer with access to the Internet. State agencies, political subdivisions and non-profit corporations may use this service to view products on-line and submit orders through the Web site.

A committee of state and corporate NASCA members chose awards winners. Criteria for the selection included a project description; significance to the operation of state government; benefits to the service recipients including taxpayers, state or agency.

The annual awards were presented during a luncheon on August 24, 1999 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Executive summaries of all nominations are available below..

The National Association of State Chief Administrators is comprised of cabinet level executives responsible for managing the internal business of government in the 50 states, District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Private sector firms may join as corporate member.