Hennepin County Attorney's Office receives two NACo Achievement Awards

Annually, the National Association of Counties (NACo) recognizes “innovative county government programs” as part of the organization’s Achievement Awards program. In 2022, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office was the recipient of two NACo Achievement Awards:

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Initiative – Criminal Justice and Public Safety category, and
Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement – Health category

In 2021, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office launched the ICWA Initiative, with the mission being to identify and implement policy changes, and to mobilize resources to help prevent the removal of Native American children — consistent with the spirit and intent of ICWA — while following through on the county’s obligation to keep children safe.

Additional information on the ICWA Initiative can be found on the county attorney's website .

The Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement was a joint effort by Hennepin County and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. Both entities sought to increase the percent Minnesota counties were to receive of the $26 billion nationwide settlement funds agreed to by the opioid distributors and a manufacturer.

After months of negotiations, the settlement agreement jumped from 15 to 75 percent of the $26 billion. Those funds will go directly to Minnesota counties and certain cities to help combat the opioid epidemic.

View the full list of NACo winners.