Livermore Receives Awards In Sustainability, Mental Health

LIVERMORE, CA — The City of Livermore received two awards for sustainability practices and its collaboration with Horizons Family Counseling in local schools.

The city received a Platinum-level Beacon Spotlight Award for Sustainability Best Practices from the Institute for Local Government. The ILG Beacon Spotlight Award highlights governments that address climate sustainability across 10 focus areas, including energy efficiency, green building, and waste reduction. Livermore received a Silver award in 2013 and a Gold award in 2017.

Milestones include updating the Climate Action Plan, creating a full-time sustainability role on staff, and launching all-electric building initiatives and expanded charging infrastructure.

The city also received a Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in Intergovernmental Collaboration from the League of California Cities. Horizons Family Counseling offers mental health services to local youth and families. They are present in LVJUSD high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools, where the provide counseling, workshops, crisis intervention, and support groups. They serve hundreds of students annually, and partner with school staff and law enforcement to foster resilience and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

The program has served as a model for other cities looking to implement comprehensive, accessible mental health services. A League of California Cities representative presented the city the award during the Monday city council meeting.

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