ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
America's nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees are on the frontlines of the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic. As the country emerges from the pandemic and grapples with the toll it has taken on our citizens, counties are responding and rebuilding. At the same time, many counties are still confronting significant workforce shortage pressures at a time with growing, critical resident needs.
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America's workforce, addressing the nation's behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation.
Resource
NACo Analysis of the American Rescue Plan Act
Resource
County Investments of American Rescue Plan Recovery Funds
NACo submits comments on Census Bureau's proposed rule on the 2030 decennial census
On September 10, the U.S Census Bureau published a proposed rule to the 2030 Decennial Census that would create two new parts of the 15 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that among other changes would a) define “usual residence” that excludes foreign persons previously counted that are not U.S. citizens or lawful residents, and b) would eliminate any questions about race, ethnicity and sexual orientation from the census questionnaire used to enumerate the population. The proposed ruling outlines only 30 days for public comments, which are due on November 2.
Diversion programs, peer support and quick response teams form opioid strategy
Since 2019 the Ulster County, N.Y. Sheriff's Office has combined the authority of law enforcement with the deep empathy of peer advocates and medical professionals when addressing substance use disorder.
Loan fund helps counties support entrepreneurs
The City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization envisioned a microloan program for some time, but adding an Economic Recovery Corps fellow finally made it happen.
Counties meet an unprecedented moment in human services
County human services directors are racing to lower SNAP Payment Error Rates, implementing significant eligibility changes and preparing for reduced federal support while building entirely new systems and processes to implement Medicaid work requirements.