Joint Services

The APS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides services to both APS and Arlington County employees and their families who may have problems which affect job performance. Counselors work one-on-one with employees referred to EAP. 

Likewise, contracts for health care and property insurance for both organizations are bid jointly, resulting in resource and cost savings. Both library systems share the library automation system, ACORN. APS rides on the County's trash and recycling contracts managed by the Solid Waste Bureau (Dept. of Environmental Services). 

Fleet Management

An Arlington County mechanic performs routine maintenance on a school bus.

Arlington County performs full service fleet management services for 132 school buses and 107 other APS support vehicles. This service includes vehicle maintenance and vehicle replacement including procurement and financing based on a depreciation schedule. The County also maintains vehicle fueling apparatus in two locations, purchases gasoline, diesel and CNG fuels and manages the fuel accounting system.

Risk Management

Arlington County and APS have combined resources on risk management to better serve both organizations. Combining resources has allowed APS to hire a safety officer to provide routine inspections, such as fire, life-safety and playground inspections. This collaboration has also allowed both the County and the APS to be better positioned to buy insurance. According to APS risk management officer, APS and Arlington have pooled their property risk to lower by a significant amount the premiums each pay. 

Information Technology

Arlington County Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman, Board Member Walter Tejada and senior staff tour the new joint Network Operations Center.

Arlington County conceived, designed, and constructed a new Network Data and Operations Center to serve both County and Schools. The new center is energy efficient, secure and scaleable, and will serve the technology needs of the Arlington Public Schools and the County government well into the future. APS provided unused warehouse space to house the new center.  (Feb. 2011)

In addition to collaborating on software and hardware solutions, APS and Arlington County IT staff continues to look for new and innovative ways to use technology to support students, parents and staff.