Henrico recognizes PAL officer of the year and lauds mental‑health prevention services

Henrico County used part of its May 26 meeting to recognize local public‑service accomplishments. County staff presented Officer Adam Marzullo with recognition for being named Henrico PAL Officer of the Year and National Police Athletic League Officer of the Year; the officer and representatives from the Henrico Police Athletic League thanked the board.

Later the board called forward Laura Totti, the director of mental health and developmental services, to recognize the Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services Prevention Services Unit following a DBHDS prevention block grant site visit and an exemplary IPS fidelity review by DARS/DBHDS. Staff said reviewers praised programming such as Wise Guys/YW programs, Youth Ambassadors and Teen Job Prep, and noted strong community partnerships; the unit earned an exemplary fidelity rating and scored 115 on the IPS review, a first in the state at baseline review according to staff remarks.

Recipients and program leaders accepted the recognitions and thanked the board for support; the board honored the employees and community partners noted in staff presentations.

What to watch: Staff and program leaders described prevention programming that County officials say reduces risk and improves youth outcomes; no policy action or funding request accompanied the recognitions at this meeting.—(Provenance: PAL recognition began SEG 064; mental‑health recognition began SEG 277 and concluded SEG 427.)