Countywide : 6 County Programs Apply for Award

Six county programs are applying for a new statewide award designed to honor innovative and useful community projects.

The programs, whose applications are expected to be approved by the Board of Supervisors today, will be competing for the new Challenge Awards, sponsored by the County Supervisors Assn. of California. All California counties can submit up to six applications for the contest.

The Ventura County departments applying are:

* General Services Agency for its work in the transformation of the Ojai Valley Trail, a 9.5-mile abandoned railroad track that was converted into a recreational trail for hiking and horseback riding.

* The chief administrative office for the Child Care Services program, which provides low-cost, trained care for children of county employees and assists with coordinating similar programs for private agencies.

* The County Recorder for the Videotape Program. The public can view a videotape at the county clerk’s office to find out how to obtain copies of vital records, such as birth and death certificates and marriage licenses.

* The Solid Waste and Management Department for its work in implementing the Government Center Recycling Program. Most types of paper waste at the center are being collected for recycling.

* Superior and Municipal Courts for the Court Administration Consolidation project. The administrative services for the two courts were consolidated, resulting in more efficient use of staff and in standardized procedures.

* The district attorney’s consumer mediation section for providing consumers and businesses with information regarding their legal rights and responsibilities to help resolve disputes before they go to litigation.

A grand prize and two recognition awards will be presented Nov. 29.