2022 Winners

International

Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration

Maryland MVA and Baltimore City Partners to Help the Homeless

The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) and the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) partnered to secure state-issued IDs for individuals experiencing homelessness – a critical step in becoming “document ready” to receive housing through city housing programs in time to ensure access to federal grant funding. Just before Thanksgiving 2020, an urgent call came to the MDOT MVA from MOHS. More than 100 individuals needed an ID to help them complete the process to obtain permanent housing. For many experiencing homelessness, it is not easy to carry identity documents or obtain these documents readily. Providing the documents required for REAL ID can also be a daunting task. MDOT MVA staff initially met with MOHS clients the first week in December and then scheduled a follow-up appointment the next week on the MDOT MVA Mobile Bus. The event was successful, helping more than 60 customers obtain an ID. Those members of the community now have a vital piece of personal documentation needed to obtain housing and other benefits, and secure employment.

Regional Recognitions

Georgia Department of Driver Services

Georgia DDS Helps Homeless Veterans

The objectives of this project were to allow all 1000+ DDS team members to give back to the community and help those in need, particularly homeless veterans, and to provide much needed items such as food, general supplies, hygiene, and other items. Flyers were created describing the project and distributed via the email to all DDS employees. A collection point was established at headquarters, as well as in each of the 9 Field Office Districts across the state where 67 Customer Service Centers are located. A deadline was set for all items to be turned into so that a delivery schedule could be established with the Veterans Administration (VA). On the date set for delivery, several DDS employees traveled with Commissioner Spencer R. Moore to carry the bags of supplies to the VA. Approximately 25% of DDS team members participated in the project.

Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles

Appointment System for High-Risk Customers

Nebraska state law requires all drivers 72 years or older to renew their driver’s license in person at a DMV driver licensing office. An emergency declaration in March 2020 granted an automatic one-year extension to all drivers 72 and older, which allowed them to retain their driving privileges. However, this extension was not granted again in 2021, so those 72 and older drivers were required to eventually return to a DMV office. The COVID-19 virus disproportionately impacts older people and being indoors in a crowded environment significantly increases the risk of spreading the virus. The Nebraska DMV’s solution to this was to offer a time in the early morning for older customers to go through the application process. Customers would simply have to call the DMV and make an appointment. Hundreds of older customers used this appointment system, allowing drivers to keep their documents up to date while reducing the transmission of the virus among more high-risk populations. 

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Humphrey's Co. Flood Response

On August 21, 2021, a stalled frontal boundary about 90 miles West of Nashville led to thunderstorms, producing very heavy rainfall rates across several counties in Tennessee. Much of a five-county area received up to a quarter of normal annual rainfall in under 12 hours, totaling up to 9-17 inches. The town of Waverly was severely damaged by floodwaters. Many homes and businesses were destroyed and swept away. Numerous people became trapped, leading to widespread water rescues and several deaths. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security immediately sent troopers for search and rescue efforts and to assist local law enforcement. A driver license mobile unit was dispatched to re-issue duplicate driver licenses to flood victims free of charge. Forty-eight people visited the mobile unit directly and residents could also visit any centers across the state. Staff were able to help impacted communities by bringing state services to them.

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Random Acts of Kindness Week

In concert with the national celebration, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles launched a Random Acts of Kindness Week in February 2021. The week kicked off with candy for employees to enjoy at headquarters and individualized emails from deputy and assistant commissioners to each field office thanking them for their work. Commissioner Holcomb then highlighted the kindnesses employees reported and treated employees to a snack at headquarters. Additionally, a drawing was held to award a boxed lunch to one customer service center, one motor carrier service center, and one headquarters work center. On the last day, Commissioner Holcomb sent flowers to one phone center agent and one headquarters employee as a thanks for their great work. The week encouraged employees to share acts of kindness with one another and included words of appreciation from the top down to boost morale and generate participation.