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.

View Committee Members

Policy Platform 2024-2025

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.

Explore the Latest

Business along San Carlos Boulevard that were damaged during Hurricane Ian
Advocacy

New disaster recovery grants now open to support county economic development

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has launched the Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program, making $1.45 billion available to help communities recover from natural disasters and build long-term economic resilience. Counties affected by major disaster declarations in 2023 or 2024 are eligible to apply for funding to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen local economies and prepare for future disruptions. This program goes beyond immediate recovery, aiming to transform local economies and foster sustainable, long-term economic growth. 

The Western Interstate Region Executive Committee meets for the first time in 2025 during the WIR Conference in Pennington County, S.D.. From left: Immediate Past President John Espy, Carbon County, Wyo.; President John Peters, Mono County, Calif.; Dwayne McFall, Fremont County, Colo. and Second Vice President Derrick DeGroot, Klamath County, Ore. Photo by Rebecca DeWitt
County News

WIR grows membership, offerings in South Dakota

Members of NACo’s Western Interstate Region learned about and fueled the work being done by the National Center for Public Lands Counties at the WIR Conference in Pennington County, S.D.

Greg Brophy, Colorado director of the Western Way, addresses the WIR Board of Directors. Photo by Charlie Ban
County News

Interest in energy generation builds in the West

Counties are exploring the potential for energy generation on their public lands, but local control will set the stage for a tradeoff.

Bureau of Land Management Acting Director John Raby speaks to the WIR Board of Directors during the 2025 NACo Legislative Conference in March. He addressed a workshop remotely during the 2025 WIR Conference in Pennington County, S.D. in May. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

BLM, HUD target public lands for housing

A multi-agency push could open up hundreds of thousands of BLM acres near towns and cities to development for attainable housing.

Aerial view of drinking water treatment plants for big city from water management
Advocacy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces actions to combat PFAS contamination

On April 28, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new suite of upcoming actions to address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These measures, outlined by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, aim to strengthen scientific understanding, enhance enforcement and build partnerships with impacted communities, including counties and other local governments.

Committee Chair

View all committee members here.

Image of S.-Jones-Head-Shot.jpg

Hon. Shannon Jones

Commissioner, Warren County, Ohio

Committee Contact

Image of Julia Cortina.jpg

Julia Cortina

Associate Legislative Director, Human Services & Education | Immigration Task Force
Image of Get-involved-header-2021.jpg
Get Involved

Join a NACo Committee

Join a committee and make a difference. Learn more about getting involved with NACo.

Get Involved