TITLE
Title
NC ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION AWARD FOR REGISTER OF DEEDS' THANK A VET PROGRAM
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Matt Gunnett, Membership Services Coordinator, NC Association of County Commissioners
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BACKGROUND
Background
The NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes County initiatives that successfully improve service delivery to citizens. Awards are designated to the following categories: General Government, Human Services, Public Information/Participation and Intergovernmental Collaboration.
During the 2016 NCACC Annual Conference held in Forsyth County, Guilford County Register of Deeds received the Excellence in Innovation Award in the General Government category for its "Thank a Vet" program. In collaboration with the Veterans Services and Information Services departments, the Register of Deeds office developed and implemented a public-private partnership designed to improve service delivery and offer commercial discounts to the 40,000 veterans that reside within Guilford County.
Guilford County's Thank A Vet program encourages veterans to register their Certificate of Release or Discharge of Active Duty forms with the Register of Deeds office. Registration aids the veteran, and/or their spouse, in securing benefits through Veterans Administration, and qualifies them to receive a County issued photo identification card for discounts at approximately 275 participating businesses within Guilford County. Since the program's inception in May 2015, registered releases and discharges have increased by 2,015%, and approximately 1,424 ID cards have been issued. Guilford County was the first county in North Carolina to implement the program, which has now expanded to over six (6) counties within the state.
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Recognize Guilford County Register of Deeds NCACC Excellence in Innovation Award for its Thank A Vet Program.
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