New Options to Combat Summer Hunger: What Counties Need to Know
Virtual Event | Zoom
If you are having trouble registering for the webinar or need technical assistance in accessing the Zoom platform, please email nacomeetings@naco.org.
Summer hunger impacts too many children when they lose access to nutritious school meals. But thanks to bipartisan action by Congress last year, state and local governments have two powerful new tools to fight hunger and better meet the nutritional needs of children during the summer months: “grab and go” meals for eligible children in certain rural areas and, starting in 2024, the permanent nationwide “Summer EBT” program, which will provide benefits for low-income households with children to purchase food over the summer. Join NACo and representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for a webinar reviewing these new programs, including recent guidance and strategies for county governments to support implementation to ensure that all eligible children access this new, critical support.
Resource
The County Role in Food Systems
HHS proposes changes to Head Start standards
On August 6, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would significantly revise the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Senate Agriculture Committee holds Farm Bill markup, remains in committee
On August 6, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate's version of the 2026 Farm Bill.
Illinois county mental health center first in state to serve youth, adults
DuPage County, Ill. worked for nearly a decade to acquire the funding and public policy changes needed to create its Crisis Recovery Center.
More Choices, Stronger Counties: Introducing NACo Public Promise Insurance Supplemental Benefits
- Dental
- Vision
- Life
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Care
- Worksite (Critical Illness/Accident/Hospital/Cancer)
- Pet
- An overview of the Supplemental Benefits Trust structure and how it works
- Details on each available line of coverage
- How MetLife and Trustmark will support implementation and ongoing administration
- Next steps for counties interested in participating
- Chris Blanchette, National Director, Public Promise Insurance, National Association of Counties
2026 Fall Board of Directors Meeting and Building Better Futures: A County Leaders' Symposium on Youth Outcomes
Hosted by NACo President George Dunlap as part of his presidential spotlight, in partnership with NACo’s Board of Directors and Large Urban County Caucus, the event will focus on practical strategies and collaborative approaches that counties can advance at the local level—from proven prevention and early intervention models to cross-sector partnerships that align resources and expand opportunity.