Breaking Down Silos to Address Maternal and Infant Mortality: Lessons from the Local Level

On July 28, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the findings of its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which provides data on rates of substance use and mental illness at the national, state and local level. 

Rural communities face unique health care challenges, from provider shortages to funding disparities. To address these concerns, the U.S. Senate recently introduced two bipartisan bills aimed at improving rural health care access and funding: the Rural Health Focus Act and the Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act.

On July 16, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) (P.L. 119-26) was signed into law, marking a major turning point in the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic. The bipartisan legislation permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, granting law enforcement the authority to combat the growing threat posed by synthetic opioids. The law’s enactment follows years of temporary extensions that placed these substances under federal control on a provisional basis.  

On July 24, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a major reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will relocate thousands of federal employees, restructure regional offices and consolidate administrative services and operations. The changes are expected to reduce USDA’s footprint in Washington, D.C. and shift more personnel to regional hubs across the country. 

Tuesday, August 26, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

The digital era is upon us, and it has many leaders challenged by the digital transformation in front of them. NACo CIO Rita Reynolds and Dr. Tim Rahschulte, the chief architects of NACo’s AI Leadership Academy training program, are hosting this webinar to share insights and ideas on how some leaders are harnessing the power of digital products, services and processes to do more with less. 

Rita and Tim will demystify the digital era by looking to the past and providing insights into the future – that is, in many ways, predictable. Join this webinar to explore the key elements of digital transformation and learn practical strategies to prepare for the digital future. To be sure, this digital future is not all about technology. The digital era is also about meeting customer expectations, employee accommodations and leveraging models to operate the business of government. We will explore together the importance of building a digital-ready organization and the need for skilling employees to meet new demands of new work.

This webinar is brought to you by NACo EDGE, establishing people, purchasing, and performance cost-saving solutions that can be applied to counties nationwide. EDGE is owned by NACo, advised by county leaders and 100% focused on solutions for U.S. Counties. Learn more about NACo EDGE here.

Join NACo on Tuesday, August 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET for a timely webinar outlining major changes to federal funding, grant conditions, and policy priorities that directly affect county homelessness programs, behavioral health systems and enforcement strategies.

Join us for an insightful webinar focusing on child welfare specifically designed for county governments, with lessons that can be applied to other behavioral health programs. We will delve into evidence-based practices, informed funding decisions, cost efficiencies, and effective program management. Key areas of discussion will include out-of-home placements, prevention services, and reunification services.

Hosted by UnitedHealthcare, this session will explore alternative health plan approaches that prioritize price transparency and promote the use of high-value providers, including models like the Surest Health Plan.