2021 Virtual NACo Legislative Conference

Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee Meeting

Members will hear from federal officials and congressional staff on the latest community, economic and workforce development federal policy and funding issues, including the latest on the FY 2022 appropriations process. CEWD Steering Committee members will vote on interim policy resolutions discussed during the resolutions meeting.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Steering Committee Meeting

The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Steering Committee will be joined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Congressman Jim Costa (Calif.-16) who will provide an update on some of the efforts underway in the 117th Congress to bolster opportunities for American farmers and the role counties can play in the local, domestic, and global food supply chain. Members will discuss how local officials can best work with our federal partners to address these ongoing issues.”

Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Meeting

NACo's Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) is the premier national forum for the exchange of ideas and solutions that help urban counties address their most pressing issues. The LUCC meeting at NACo's 2021 Virtual Legislative Conference will feature conversations with national leaders and congressional staff on topics including FY 2022 appropriations, COVID-19 vaccine distribution and criminal justice reform. All urban county officials are welcome to attend.

Western Interstate Region (WIR) Board of Directors Meeting

The Western Interstate Region (WIR) is dedicated to the promotion of Western interests within NACo. Its membership consists of fifteen Western states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Washington). WIR Members will learn about public lands and rural development priorities for the 117th Congress and the Biden administration, new disaster prevention and mitigation programs, and regulatory issues important to western counties.

Membership Standing Committee Meeting

Veterans and Military Services Committee Meeting

Join NACo’s Veterans and Military Services Standing Committee to discuss how counties can work with our state, federal and local partners to address issues facing our nation’s veterans. During this meeting, committee members will be joined by congressional staff and officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss major priorities such as helping veterans weather the COVID-19 pandemic, advancing solutions for veteran suicide prevention, expanding access to care and services for women veterans, and addressing toxic exposure. Partners will also share new resources and opportunities for serving military caregivers and provide a helpful overview of the county-military partnerships available through the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program.

Future of Retirement Security

This workshop will provide a legislative update on the future of retirement security, evaluate plan design issues and examine the impact retirement security is having on minority communities.

Programs and Services Committee Meeting

All conference attendees are welcome to attend this meeting of NACo's Programs and Services Standing Committee, which advises the association's officers and Board of Directors regarding the development and evaluation of programs and services for NACo members. This meeting will focus on key NACo programs and services, including NACo High Performance Leadership Academy, Corporate Premier Program and county networks and learning communities facilitated by the Counties Futures Lab. Committee members will hear about NACo’s ongoing projects and provide feedback through live polling and discussion to help maximize the impact of these initiatives and help shape NACo’s strategy in formulating future initiatives to strengthen America’s counties.

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied – How Can Better Courts Technology Help?

The pandemic has caused massive disruption to our courts. As we emerge from the pandemic, backlogs and budget shortfalls will exert continuing pressure on courts and, through incarcerations, on county budgets. Without innovation in the courts, delays in clearing the backlogs will seriously compromise access to justice in criminal, family and civil matters for years to come. How are the courts dealing with these challenges? Join us for a discussion of these issues, where we will share examples of how innovative courts are using new technologies, what has worked and the lessons learned. Attending this session automatically enters you for a giveaway by the presenting sponsor.

Building Data Bridges for Insight and Engagement

County decision-makers can miss the big picture when a jurisdiction’s data is siloed or inaccessible. Critical business systems that enable operations for ERP, asset management, permitting and licensing and appraisal and tax all hold valuable information that can remain locked in a single department. Connecting this information from multiple sources empowers leaders and employees at all levels to create efficiencies, monitor trends and solve problems. The resulting insights help ensure equitable service delivery and responsive, data-driven strategies to support economic recovery and community success. Effective internal data sharing manifests externally as well, providing the public with improved transparency, service and two-way engagement opportunities. Explore how this works in practice with Clermont County, Ohio, where leaders have connected data, systems and people to transform internal operations and enhance public service.

Commissioners and COVID Communication: Virtual Town Halls

An interview-style session with two county commissioners about how they engaged with hard-to-reach and critical demographics through virtual and telephone town halls. Attending this session automatically enters you for a giveaway by the presenting sponsor.

Optimizing Data for Program Excellence, Health Equity and Revenue Optimization

The COVID-19 pandemic has an unprecedented impact on the delivery of behavioral and public health services. Major disruptions in access to care, significant revenue shortfalls, vaccine distribution, and staff retention challenges have highlighted the importance of data analysis and optimization for service delivery. Learn how one innovative behavioral health provider is using key performance indicator (KPI) dashboards and automated data collection for strategic planning and operational success.

Attendees at this session will :

• See a population health dashboard combining social determinants of health (SDoH) with standard metrics to track outcomes, inform planning and improve service delivery to address inequities
• Learn how identifying and adjusting KPIs to include virtual service delivery models can ensure continuity of service delivery and increase client engagement and satisfaction
• Understand how analysis of revenue per program can be used as a key component of program evaluation, and for a deep dive into healthy equity information such as access to healthcare, race, employment

Protecting the Vote with AT&T

By bringing together solutions that help protect, serve and connect – committed AT&T professionals are working with the public sector to transform the business of government. In this session, a Pennsylvania county successfully navigated the 2020 election aided by AT&T’s Asset Tracking solutions. The presentation will show how AT&T worked with the county as the election approached and helped address their concerns and challenges. The solution helped enable the county to successfully plan, deploy, track and manage voting machines logistics throughout the election season. Ultimately, the technology helped enable the county to ensure election integrity during one of the most scrutinized elections in American history.

Bringing Clarity to the Redistricting Process

The workshop explores the need for openness, citizen engagement, and transparency in the redistricting process. It is obvious that GIS plays a role in redistricting, but historically the role GIS plays falls short. This workshop will focus on a case study where civic leaders plan to extend the redistricting data and software tools to the public and discuss the civic health benefits they received. The workshop will close with a demonstration of how to take the new lines for Federal, State legislative districts, and your local districts and move them into a process to re-precinct your voters. Attending this session automatically enters you for a giveaway by the presenting sponsor.

Preventing Abuse of Homestead Exemptions and Other Principal Residence Tax Relief

State and local property tax laws grant relief to owners of primary or principal residences. Like any tax break, these Homestead Exemptions, by that or other names, are subject to intentional or unintentional abuse by homeowners. This presentation explores the available tools and best practices for property tax administrators to identify erroneous homestead exemptions and other tax relief offered based on principal residence. From self-service approaches to third-party audits, the panelists will share their experiences tackling this issue. Attending this session automatically enters you for a giveaway by the presenting sponsor.

Leveraging Data for County Budget Transparency

Public budgeting is fundamentally about how we allocate public resources and administer them. Join us to learn how Guilford County and Stae have implemented technology to more clearly understand that allocation, learning from history to plan more effectively for the present and future. Stae and Guilford County have collaborated on an implementation of the Stae Platform to support public accountability through a significant improvement in budget transparency while working towards a vision of seamlessly accessible, granular public data on County budgeting and program performance. In this session, we will discuss our work creating the County’s first public budget data dashboards visualizing historical trends and current budget allocations in Guilford County, the data-related challenges associated with creating holistic budget reporting, and the County’s future vision for data access and program transparency. Attending this session automatically enters you for a giveaway by the presenting sponsor.

$1.9T American Rescue Plan - Implications for U.S. Counties

Witt O'Brien's will present information on the American Rescue Planning including funding allocations and steps counties should take today to prepare for this massive stimulus plan.

Making Vaccination Scheduling Easier for Recipients, Administrators, and Clinicians

COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers have collectively agreed to release 12 billion vaccine doses globally in 2021, according to McKinsey & Company research, provided they all pass clinical trials. However, turning those vaccines into vaccinations is a colossal undertaking that requires significant coordination. ServiceNow has a Vaccine Administration Management Solution that simplifies the effort and recently added new capabilities to give healthcare professionals greater visibility into vaccine inventory and to give recipients more control over vaccine management and schedule. These new capabilities make vaccination scheduling easier for everyone involved: recipients, administrators, and clinicians. This session will provide more information about ServiceNow’s capabilities and track record of success across the world. 
 

The Revenue Recovery Strategy for Utah

Discover a results-oriented program to help counties and other public entities collect outstanding debts in a timely, cost-effective manner.

Make the Most of Your Membership

NACo has a lot to offer members! Join NACo’s membership team for an interactive conversation. You will get an overview of the many ways your county elected officials and staff can save taxpayer dollars, find solutions and strengthen your county.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers: A New Model for Integrating Health, Behavioral Health and Crisis Response

This session provides an overview of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program, highlights the successes of counties and local governments who have participated in the Medicaid demonstration program and provides insight on how counties can work with states to implement this model in their communities. The CCBHC model of service delivery puts emphasis on whole-person care using evidence-based practices, regardless of a resident’s residence or ability to pay, and allows counties to leverage federal Medicaid and other grant funds to provide high-quality wraparound services to residents. 

Mapping Foreign Investment

Foreign investment into county economies can help foster economic sustainability and, in the wake of COVID-19, can help catalyze economic recovery. Join the discussion with Arlington County, Va., and Los Angeles, Calif., which are working on innovative foreign investment mapping projects. This session is hosted by the International Economic Development Task Force and open to all attendees.

Strengthening Federal Policy for Infants and Toddlers with County Insights

Counties are implementing early childhood innovations that draw on leading practices for advancing policies, services and systems that benefit infants and toddlers and put them developmentally on track for kindergarten. This workshop focues on challenges and opportunities local leaders are facing in building robust support for young children aged prenatal to three and federal policy that can strengthen these efforts.

COVID-19 Impacts on Your County's Fiscal Health: Budget Planning Opportunities & Challenges

COVID-19 has had great impacts on many aspects of our residents' lives, including county government finances. This session provides an in-depth exploration of county budgetary planning in the wake of COVID-19 and ideas for future fiscal health.

Healthcare Checkup: The Rollout of the National Vaccine

Nearly three months into the Biden Administration’s national COVID-19 vaccine strategy, this session will evaluate progress on local vaccination uptake, as well as challenges and successes from on-the-ground implementation. Attendees will hear from local communities about lessons learned and best practices, and engage with federal experts and discuss ongoing local needs for COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts.

Advancing Health Care in Jails through Access to Medicaid

Under Section 1905(a)(A) of the Social Security Act, the use of federal medical funds and services for “inmates of a public institution” is prohibited, through what is known as the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP). This policy has created unintended impacts on the local criminal justice system and for counties, and has contributed to the national behavioral and mental health crisis and rates of jail recidivism. Convened in March 2019, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) joint task force worked to identify challenges posed by the MIEP. Join NACo, NSA, and the Major County Sheriff’s of America alongside partner organizations and members of Congress, to highlight legislation in the 117th Congress aimed at making needed amendments to this federal policy. 

How County Stories Impact Federal Policymaking

Each county has a unique story to tell. With federal policies and programs impacting the lives of millions of county residents, it is essential that the county voice and experience is heard when developing federal policy. Equally important, it is critical for our federal partners to understand how these policies impact county residents and communities at the local level. As a federal policymaker, learn how you can use NACo’s County Explorer to influence federal policy by more effectively telling the county story with data.

Federal Agencies Unplugged

Join NACo for a virtual meet and greet with intergovernmental affairs representatives from a variety of federal agencies. Learn about how you can leverage intergovernmental partnerships, make connections with federal officials and network with colleagues and peers! Members will be able to visit “Federal Agency Tables” in Zoom Breakout Rooms to hear from these representatives and share your county’s stories. Participating federal agencies include:

Revenue Recovery Session for TRECS Member States (Invite Only)

This workshop is invitation-only. 

Working session amongst the four current Revenue Recovery (TRECS) participating state associations: Indiana, California, Arkansas and Utah

Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Criminal Justice System

What is the latest landcape from the federal policy persepctive in criminal justice reform? Reducing incarceration rates is a major goal of counties across the country, who understand that – to reduce the jail population – the ongoing issue of racial and ethnic disparities , along with mental health and substance abuse, within the criminal justice system should be addressed. This workshop examines how engaging community stakeholders and ensuring that local justice initiatives are grounded in racial equity can advance meaningful justice reform.

Doing More with Less - County Strategies for Cost Savings during COVID-19

Education on NACo FSC partnerships used to address county pain points in our unique environment with cost saving solutions from our three areas of focus: employee benefit solutions, financial solutions and technology solutions. This workshop serves to highlight one program from each focus area and provides an opportunity to hear from current users of selected programs.

NABCO/NOBCO Meeting

Join your NABCO/NOBCO family for a presentation on managing your vaccine plan. Learn how technology can support your efforts. We'll also give an update on what we've been doing to keep our organizations focused on forward progress in a pandemic. 

National Democratic County Officials Winter Meeting

Agenda will include board elections, strategic updates from staff and board members, and review of engagement opportunities.  

Cyber Risk Readiness: Is Your County Prepared?

While we hope to never be tested against some risks and threats, we know that the probability is not in our favor. We also know that nothing tests preparedness better than reality, but to be ready we must practice. This workshop will cover the value of simulations to enhance cyber risk readiness. Strategies for communication, policy development and defining roles and responsibilities will be covered as well.

Navigating NEPA: Federal Permitting and the County Role

Examine how counties can be involved in the land use process, federal permitting and permit streamlining. This session also outlines our expectations for the new administration.Examine how counties can be involved in the land use process, federal permitting and permit streamlining. This session also outlines our expectations for the new administration.