How can counties best connect the unconnected?

NACo President Greg Cox shows off County News' Hot Topics issue on Connecting the Unconnected at the 2018 Large Urban County Caucus symposium. DeKalb County, Ga. Commissioner Larry Johnson, LUCC chairman, is seated to the right. Photo by Hugh Clarke.
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County NewsWhen I first got involved in NACo more than 15 years ago, I never would have thought that I would be serving years later as NACo’s president.How can counties best connect the unconnected?
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County News Article
How can counties best connect the unconnected?
When I first got involved in NACo more than 15 years ago, I never would have thought that I would be serving years later as NACo’s president. As I lead NACo into the future, I have enjoyed partnering with my colleagues in the 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs across America to determine how best to reach out and serve residents in our communities.
If there’s one thing I’ve seen time and time again during my years of service, it’s the importance of local government. We know that local government works. We pursue solutions and achieve results. We are closest to the people, and they rely on us in both good times and bad.
But how do we connect people in our counties? How do we make sure that residents know about the services we and our many partners provide?
This is an ongoing challenge and the reason for launching NACo’s Connecting the Unconnected initiative.
This initiative explores the many ways counties connect people in our society. Every day, we see that when people are Connecting the Unconnected Cox “Every day, we see that when people are left behind and isolated, it creates unhealthy, negative consequences in our communities.” left behind and isolated, it creates unhealthy, negative consequences in our communities.
We’re building on NACo’s previous effort led by NACo Immediate Past President Roy Charles Brooks, “Serving the Underserved,” by continuing to inform and illustrate how counties help all of our citizens forge pathways to succeed.
NACo is demonstrating how counties deliver people-centered services, maximize government efficiency and ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. We are focused on achieving these goals and educating policymakers in three key areas:
1. Technology – NACo is showcasing best-in-class technology that helps counties deliver critical services. This includes 211 and other centralized resource centers; telemedicine; broadband and public transportation technologies.
2. Data – NACo is demonstrating the importance of data-driven decision-making in improving resource allocation. We’re using data to create targeted delivery models for core county services like mental health programs, substance abuse treatment, justice reform, housing, transportation and veterans’ resources.
3. Financing – NACo is illustrating the importance of public-private partnerships to ensure sustainable funding and coordination of services. This includes partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions, community-based organizations and other public and private sector partners to provide long-term resources to support county programs.
“Connecting the Unconnected” is designed for counties of all shapes and sizes. There is no cookie-cutter approach to connecting residents; what works in one county may not work in another. But we share similar challenges and can learn from one another’s experiences to be an immense force for the public good.
The promise of public service that inspired me to seek public office remains as vital as ever. I look forward to continuing to work with you to help people live well and thrive.
When I first got involved in NACo more than 15 years ago, I never would have thought that I would be serving years later as NACo’s president.2018-12-11County News Article2023-04-11
When I first got involved in NACo more than 15 years ago, I never would have thought that I would be serving years later as NACo’s president. As I lead NACo into the future, I have enjoyed partnering with my colleagues in the 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs across America to determine how best to reach out and serve residents in our communities.
If there’s one thing I’ve seen time and time again during my years of service, it’s the importance of local government. We know that local government works. We pursue solutions and achieve results. We are closest to the people, and they rely on us in both good times and bad.
But how do we connect people in our counties? How do we make sure that residents know about the services we and our many partners provide?
This is an ongoing challenge and the reason for launching NACo’s Connecting the Unconnected initiative.
This initiative explores the many ways counties connect people in our society. Every day, we see that when people are Connecting the Unconnected Cox “Every day, we see that when people are left behind and isolated, it creates unhealthy, negative consequences in our communities.” left behind and isolated, it creates unhealthy, negative consequences in our communities.
We’re building on NACo’s previous effort led by NACo Immediate Past President Roy Charles Brooks, “Serving the Underserved,” by continuing to inform and illustrate how counties help all of our citizens forge pathways to succeed.
NACo is demonstrating how counties deliver people-centered services, maximize government efficiency and ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. We are focused on achieving these goals and educating policymakers in three key areas:
1. Technology – NACo is showcasing best-in-class technology that helps counties deliver critical services. This includes 211 and other centralized resource centers; telemedicine; broadband and public transportation technologies.
2. Data – NACo is demonstrating the importance of data-driven decision-making in improving resource allocation. We’re using data to create targeted delivery models for core county services like mental health programs, substance abuse treatment, justice reform, housing, transportation and veterans’ resources.
3. Financing – NACo is illustrating the importance of public-private partnerships to ensure sustainable funding and coordination of services. This includes partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions, community-based organizations and other public and private sector partners to provide long-term resources to support county programs.
“Connecting the Unconnected” is designed for counties of all shapes and sizes. There is no cookie-cutter approach to connecting residents; what works in one county may not work in another. But we share similar challenges and can learn from one another’s experiences to be an immense force for the public good.
The promise of public service that inspired me to seek public office remains as vital as ever. I look forward to continuing to work with you to help people live well and thrive.
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About Hon. Greg Cox (Full Bio)
Supervisor, San Diego County, Calif.
San Diego County, Calif. Supervisor Greg Cox has been active in NACo since 2002, serving on the association’s board of directors as well as on the Large Urban County Caucus and task forces.More from Hon. Greg Cox
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Bridging the Gap: Counties connect people to the help they need
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This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal policy priorities for ensuring SNAP is effectively serving county residents and the current legislative and administrative outlook for program reforms. -
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Basic page
Human Services & Education Steering 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 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>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,
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Supervisor, San Diego County, Calif.
Related Resources
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County News
‘Dr. Drew’ applauds progress in mental health care, but ‘still progress to be made’
“It’s not that hard to treat,” Pinsky said of the mental health crisis. “We just need the resources, we need the beds, we need the psychiatrists.” -
County News
Two-county solution offers urban Nevada kids a rural retreat
Clark County, Nevada youths now have access to a new 4-H camp in neighboring Lincoln County, which will retain jobs it would have lost when a corporate retreat center closed. -
County News
County’s mobile market closes the grocery desert gap
Gwinnett County, Ga. teamed up with a food bank to create a mobile community market to alleviate food insecurity, which had increased during the pandemic.
-
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal policy priorities for ensuring SNAP is effectively serving county residents and the current legislative and administrative outlook for program reforms. -
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The County Role in Food Systems
Among our numerous responsibilities, serving as the front line of the social safety net is a primary function of county governments to ensure healthy, safe and vibrant communities for our residents. -
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The County Human Services and Education Landscape
Counties invest heavily in residents’ health and well-being, often serving as the ultimate safety net for low-income residents. This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in federal human services and education programs that help vulnerable residents thrive.
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