Health & Human Services Programming
NACo health and human services programming elevates and drives county innovation in promoting the health and development of our residents throughout the lifespan. With expert and peer support, counties are championing effective PN-3 policies that support our youngest residents and their families, building the supply of quality childcare, strategically investing opioid settlement funds to reduce overdose deaths, championing public health and exploring the use of artificial intelligence to support our role in delivering public assistance programs.
“The reason we went down the path of starting the home visitation project, which became Brighter Beginnings, was because of NACo’s Prenatal to Three initiative. We were able to hand off this program to our City/County Health Department when it was ready to fly. I remain so thankful to the Pritzker Children’s Initiative and to NACo[RF] for allowing us to participate in that initial cohort that led to this program. It is making a difference in people’s lives.”
– Janet Thompson, County Commissioner, Boone County, Missouri
“I came home thinking about how special this group of people are. I feel like some of the magic that happened is learning how to break down barriers across traditional lines, big counties to small counties, electeds to SMEs, and so much more. NACo has really raised a group of leaders.”
– Brad Finegood, Strategic Advisor, Public Health, Seattle and King County, Washington
Current Health and Human Services Programming
Public Health Leadership Initiative
Current Opportunity:
Apply for NACo’s inaugural Public Health Leadership Academy to strengthen county leadership in advancing public health. County teams participating in the learning cohort will identify new strategies to improve health outcomes and develop an action plan to address a health priority in their county through both virtual and in-person trainings.
Childcare Supply Initiative
The Childcare Supply Network supports local leaders in addressing childcare challenges. Participating counties are working with national experts to co-create sustainable solutions and financing strategies to strengthen local childcare systems in response to workforce needs.
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.
Opioid Solutions Center
NACo's Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.
Transforming Human Services Initiative
County human services provide critical supports that serve as a foundation for moving individuals, children and families out of poverty and improving their immediate and long-term health outcomes.
How To Get Involved
- Review the application information for NACo's inaugural Public Health Leadership Academy and apply by March 13. Application information can be found above.
- NACo will launch applications for a SNAP-focused cohort in Spring 2026 to help counties troubleshoot emerging challenges, identify AI-driven best practices and share innovations. Sign up here to receive notices for new human services opportunities.
- Join the Healthy Counties Innovation Council.
Stay up-to-date
Key Resources
Building a Legacy of Health: Transforming the Health and Wellbeing of Our Communities
From designing neighborhoods and public spaces, maintaining the corridors that allow us to travel within and across communities, caring for our physical and mental health, ensuring public safety, and strengthening environmental stewardship, county leaders make decisions that impact our everyday lives.
Counties 4 Kids Initiative
Opioid Solutions Strategy Briefs
NACo’s Opioid Solutions Strategy Briefs document 15 high-impact opioid abatement strategies from this list that are under county authority. Each brief summarizes the available evidence, best practices for implementation, county examples and links to additional resources, including opportunities for specialized technical assistance.
Supporting Families Through Home Visiting Programs
Supporting Families Through Home Visiting Programs provides an overview of and several examples of how these programs address the development of both parents and children and are aimed at enhancing family well-being.
Supporting the Whole Child: Counties Strengthening Prenatal-to-Three Wellbeing
The Supporting the Whole Child: Counties Strengthening Prenatal-to-Three Wellbeing issue brief defines the whole child model and provides county examples.
House Agriculture Committee advances 2026 Farm Bill
On March 5, the House Agriculture Committee voted to advance its version of the 2026 Farm Bill.
National Association of Counties Launches Initiative to Strengthen County Human Services Systems
The National Association of Counties (NACo) announces the launch of the Transforming Human Services Initiative, a new effort to help counties modernize benefits administration, integrate service delivery systems and strengthen county capacity to fulfill our responsibility as America’s safety net for children and families.
HHS Secretary Kennedy touts fixes for obesity, chronic illness, mental health issues
Counties can help improve health outcomes by prioritizing prevention over treatment, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told NACo Legislative Conference attendees.
Congress seeking ‘common-sense solutions’ to unmet mental health needs
Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.): “Right now, it is too difficult to access providers … and get mental health care in a facility that is the right size and also the appropriate acuity level to meet patients’ needs.”
Prince William County transforms crisis care through "No Wrong Door" approach
Prince William County, Va.’s Crisis Receiving Center is bridging the gap between emergency room care and traditional outpatient care in behavioral crisis response and reducing burden on local law enforcement and hospitals.
Federal-level child welfare priorities center on supporting foster youth, families
Child welfare experts outlined current priorities at the federal level, including better supporting foster care youth who age out of the system and recruiting more foster parents, at NACo’s Human Services and Education Policy Steering Committee meeting.
Emerging Dynamics in the Pharmacy Marketplace: Direct-to-Consumer and Plan Sponsors’ Rx Benefits
Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
This webinar will feature Josh Fredell, Senior Vice President, PBM, Payor and Life Science Solutions at CVS Health, who will provide an expert overview of the rapidly evolving world of pharmacy benefits. Key discussion points will include the impact of the Direct to Consumer marketplace and prominent entrants such as TrumpRx, Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus model, GoodRx, and others, with a particular focus on GLP‑1 therapies.
The session will explore current industry trends, how plan sponsors are responding, and strategic considerations for navigating this shifting landscape. Attendees will gain valuable insight into market forces shaping consumer access, payer decision‑making, and future implications for benefit design.
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.
For more information, visit the event page!
Program Lead
