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
U.S. Forest Service announces details of major reorganization
On March 31, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced details of a major reorganization of the agency’s offices and management structure. The agency’s new structure comes amid a larger reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which houses the Forest Service.
House WIOA reauthorization revives old concerns over local flexibility
House reintroduces WIOA reauthorization bill, raising concerns over local flexibility.
Technology upgrade boosts disaster evacuation process
San Bernadino County's mobile app reports each step of the evacuation process as it happens, helping emergency managers take a lot of mystery out of chaotic incidents, including floods and fires.
Endangered Species Committee convenes to exempt Gulf energy projects from Endangered Species Act requirements
On March 31, the Endangered Species Committee convened a meeting to discuss a national security exemption to Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements for energy exploration and extraction projects in the Gulf. The Committee, which had only previously gathered 3 times since 1978, voted unanimously to grant the exemption.
Congress examines reforms to endangered species management
On Mar. 18, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Work held a hearing examining how to improve implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The hearing follows several legislative proposals to reform endangered species management that recently advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Resource
The County Human Services and Education Landscape
Human Services & Education Policy Briefs
Committee Chair
View all committee members here.
Hon. Barb Weckman Brekke
Committee Contact
Emma Conover
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