DES Recognized for Multiple Programs at Gov. Hobbs' Excellence in Government Awards

Members from agencies across the State of Arizona came together to celebrate the First Annual Excellence in Government Awards. The award ceremony is the first of its kind to recognize Arizona’s State employees and their agencies’ greatest accomplishments. 

The Governor’s Office showed keen interest in two DES projects: The Arizona Rental Assistance Program, which operated under the Child and Community Services Division (CCSD, formerly DCAD), and the Centralized Background Check project, a cross-divisional (and cross-departmental) effort managed by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS).

Representatives from DES waited in anticipation as Governor Katie Hobbs and members of her team took to the stage to present a variety of recognition and awards to agencies within each major priority area of the State.

The Arizona Rental Assistance Program (ARAP) earned the agency a Top 10 spot for work in the priority area of economic security. From the Governor’s Office, Ben Henderson, Director of Operations spoke on the accomplishments of ARAP and the efforts of DES.

“You were here to help people make sure that their families were safe and they didn’t have to move out of their apartments,” Director Henderson said. “And that is because of the Arizona Rental Assistance Program working night and day to keep people in their homes.”

DAAS’s work on Centralized Background Checks received recognition for their efforts in streamlining the background check process across Arizona State agencies and earned them a nomination for the Arizona Management System Excellence Award. Though the DAAS team did not take home the award, the Governor’s Office acknowledged the incredible work completed by all the nominated teams.

Congratulations to Team CCSD and Team DAAS for their phenomenal work in 2024. We look forward to seeing which of our 2025 projects are nominated for the next Excellence in Government Awards!