News Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The individuals were recognized for their leadership and commitment to Pennsylvania’s counties
During their spring conference in Harrisburg, the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) presented Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, Senator Scott Martin and Senator Judy Schwank with the Friend of County Government Award.
“We are recognizing three dedicated public servants, all of whom are CCAP alumni, for their leadership and commitment to Pennsylvania’s counties by presenting them with the CCAP Friend of County Government Awards -- our Association’s highest honor for non-members,” said CCAP Executive Director Dr. Kyle Kopko.
Before joining the Shapiro Administration, Secretary Arkoosh served for eight years on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, including as Chair – becoming the first woman to hold that position.
“She reminds the team everyday of how important a partnership is with counties,” said Special Advisor to the Secretary Brinda Penyak, who accepted the award on Arkoosh’s behalf. “We couldn’t do a single thing we do at DHS without counties.”
Senator Martin credited his time as a Lancaster County commissioner for giving him a better understanding of the challenges counties face, ranging from human services and infrastructure to public safety and economic development.
“I want the public to truly understand the value of what you do,” said Martin. “Explaining what county government does can be one of the most difficult jobs to do and the same applies for up here [at the legislature] to get people who have never been exposed to county government to understand how decisions up here impact what you do.”
In 2000, Senator Judy Schwank became the first female elected as a Berks County Commissioner, where she worked with municipal and county leaders to preserve farmland, strengthen county services, and promote economic development.
“Now as a legislator, I know the importance of working with you [counties] in order to make sure that we give our constituents the best quality of life and the best services that they deserve. This is truly an honor,” Schwank said in her acceptance video.
The evening also coincided with observing the 140th anniversary of the establishment of CCAP.
“At CCAP, we firmly believe that if counties are strong and resilient, so is the entire Commonwealth,” Kopko said. “In order to serve our mutual constituents across the Commonwealth, counties and CCAP rely heavily upon a strong partnership with the administration and with the General Assembly.”
“We are recognizing three dedicated public servants, all of whom are CCAP alumni, for their leadership and commitment to Pennsylvania’s counties by presenting them with the CCAP Friend of County Government Awards -- our Association’s highest honor for non-members,” said CCAP Executive Director Dr. Kyle Kopko.
Before joining the Shapiro Administration, Secretary Arkoosh served for eight years on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, including as Chair – becoming the first woman to hold that position.
“She reminds the team everyday of how important a partnership is with counties,” said Special Advisor to the Secretary Brinda Penyak, who accepted the award on Arkoosh’s behalf. “We couldn’t do a single thing we do at DHS without counties.”
Senator Martin credited his time as a Lancaster County commissioner for giving him a better understanding of the challenges counties face, ranging from human services and infrastructure to public safety and economic development.
“I want the public to truly understand the value of what you do,” said Martin. “Explaining what county government does can be one of the most difficult jobs to do and the same applies for up here [at the legislature] to get people who have never been exposed to county government to understand how decisions up here impact what you do.”
In 2000, Senator Judy Schwank became the first female elected as a Berks County Commissioner, where she worked with municipal and county leaders to preserve farmland, strengthen county services, and promote economic development.
“Now as a legislator, I know the importance of working with you [counties] in order to make sure that we give our constituents the best quality of life and the best services that they deserve. This is truly an honor,” Schwank said in her acceptance video.
The evening also coincided with observing the 140th anniversary of the establishment of CCAP.
“At CCAP, we firmly believe that if counties are strong and resilient, so is the entire Commonwealth,” Kopko said. “In order to serve our mutual constituents across the Commonwealth, counties and CCAP rely heavily upon a strong partnership with the administration and with the General Assembly.”