County Government Works Campaign

An Initiative to Raise Awareness and Understanding of Counties

County Government Works is an initiative to make the American public, who are beneficiaries of government services, and officials at other levels of government, who are partners in delivering those services, more knowledgeable and positive about the contributions of county government. County officials and NACo must tell the story about the effectiveness of county government and how County Government Works every day. This initiative has put in place the tools for county officials to use to ensure that the story is told well and told often.

NEW - Online Game - Counties Work

NACo, together with iCivics, has created an online game, "Counties Work," to educate students, grades 6 through 12, about the important role and functions of county government by letting them run their own county. A curriculum and web quest has also been developed to assist teachers with preparing lessons on county government.

Toolkit for Raising Public Awareness

Programs You Can Use to Raise Public Awareness

Examples of Public Awareness Programs
Many counties have developed programs to help their residents to better understand the services they receive. This document provides some great examples.
Establishing a Citizen/Leadership University
Learn how two counties created citizen/leadership universities to enable residents to go behind the scenes and see how county government works.
How Your County Can Raise Public Awareness
There are many activities that you can schedule to raise public awareness. This document offers many ideas from tours of facilities to creating citizen academies.

Speaker's Library

One-Page Talking Points Guide
This one-page guide provides you with talking points and topics that you should cover when speaking to local community, business and non-profit groups about county government.
Talking Points: County Government Works Campaign
Here are talking points to assist you in speaking to business leaders, community organizations, nonprofits, youth groups, faith-based organizations and others about the role and responsibilities of county government.

Educating Students About County Government

County Government Booklet - Kentucky Association of Counties Educating Youth
The Kentucky Association of Counties' K.E.Y. Program was created to help elementary students learn about county government. A fun and educational 20 page booklet for teachers and students was produced to use in the classroom.
Help the Teachers – Educate Students About Your County!
A two-page guide to engaging students in learning about county government with activities, lectures and partnerships.
Bringing Government to the People of Rockland County, NY
County Executive Scott Vanderhoef and all departments and directors participated in “County Government Day” at Rockland Community College. An all day fair with exhibits and seminars gave students a better appreciation for county government. The day was filmed in partnership with Cablevision and aired for public access.
Key Elements for Establishing a Student Government Day
Calumet County, Wis.’s Student Government Day Program gets students learning about county government in the classroom, then gives them an opportunity to put what they’ve learned into action before a real county board.
Student Classroom Video: Wheeling Park High School, Ohio County, WV
County Commission Chair Tim McCormick, Ohio County, West Virginia and high school educator, has introduced a program to teach high school students about county government and their county leaders.
Goal and Objectives of Wheeling Park High School, Ohio County, West Virginia
Texas Association of Counties
Texas Association of Counties curriculum for middle and high school students.

Printed Materials

Produce a Brochure to Explain How Your County Works
Brochures are an effective way to explain how your county works. See what another county has produced and then create your brochure with the easy-to-use template.

Public Service Announcements

View Public Service Announcement Videos
Download Public Service Announcement Videos
Raise awareness of the services counties provide; post these videos on your county website.

State Association of Counties Public Awareness Programs

California State Association of Counties
California State Association of Counties uses social media to connect with 37 million residents of the golden state
Association of Indiana Counties
Association of Indiana Counties' video collection of county government services
Association of Indiana Counties
NEW - The State and County Partnering for Progress Program – Job Shadowing
Association of Oregon Counties
Association of Oregon Counties video on county government
North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
North Carolina Association of County Commissioners program to inform and educate the public about county government

Contact

Tom Goodman
Public Affairs Director
202-942-4222