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
Applications for the 2nd cohort of the Public Health Leadership Academy have closed. Visit the webpage and fill out this form to stay up to date on future NACo public health opportunities and resources.
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
- Applications for the 2nd cohort of the Public Health Leadership Academy have closed. Visit the webpage and fill out this form to stay up to date on future NACo public health opportunities and resources.
- Applications are closed for a no-cost peer exchange event convening county teams to explore best practices in supporting families impacted by substance use. To learn about related opportunities, click here.
- 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 reintroduces 988 Implementation Act to strengthen local mental health crisis response
On Sept. 3, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) introduced the 988 Implementation Act (H.R. 10280)[EH2.1] This bipartisan legislation strengthens the nationwide 988 system by providing long-term federal funding to counties, which often serve as frontline administrators of local mental health crisis services.
Senate Agriculture Committee passes Farm Bill
On September 16, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate's version of the 2026 Farm Bill.
Federal agency partnership creates new emergency alert for missing persons with autism
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. announced the development of the National Autism and Endangered Person Alert Initiative.
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.
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.
