Human Services & Education Policy Steering Committee
About the Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education.
Policy Platform & Resolutions 2025-2026
Every county in the U.S. administers and funds part of the cost of strengthening communities and protecting and enhancing families. The NACo Human Services & Education Steering Committee exists to support counties in this work.
Featured Initiative
Early Childhood Development Initiative
Counties play a crucial role in fostering communities that support positive outcomes for young children. Resources and peer learning opportunities are available to help counties advance programs and policies for children from birth to age three.
Resource
County Policy Priorities for Transforming the Child Welfare System
USDA streamlines foreign-owned agricultural lands transaction reporting with online portal
On January 22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new online portal to streamline reporting transactions involving U.S. agricultural land by foreign entities.
U.S. House passes final minibus funding package
Congress introduced the final FY 2026 Appropriations package, including key county priorities related to transportation, housing, health, emergency management and public safety
Senate Expected to Resume ROAD to Housing Talks, Following NDAA Impasse
On July 29, the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs unanimously advanced the bipartisan Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act, representing a significant opportunity for counties to address housing challenges through program support, new incentive grants, and streamlined post-disaster funding access. The bill also includes a provision threatening key community development funds for grantees that do not meet certain performance criteria.
National Association of Counties Announces Additions to Senior Leadership
The National Association of Counties (NACo) announced today that Abby Davidson has been promoted into the role of Chief Research Officer. Davidson joins Chief Government Affairs Officer Eryn Hurley, announced earlier this month, and 2025 additions Lori Dicker, Chief Public Affairs Officer, and Luis Guardia, Chief Financial Officer, to round out a series of additions to the association’s senior leadership team.
Podcast: Panache and presentation boost highlight reels of county action
Riverside County, Calif. tapped a talented communications staffer to bring to life news from their Board of Supervisors with their program Board Brief. Pep Fernandez, along with CEO Jeff Van Wagenen, explain the program's success and NACo President J.D. Clark fleshes out his County Storytellers spotlight.
Resource
The County Human Services and Education Landscape
Human Services & Education Policy Briefs
Committee Chair
View all committee members here.
Hon. Shannon Jones
Committee Contact
Julia Cortina
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