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.

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Children play an educational game in the library at the South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center. Photo by Leon Lawrence III
County News

Public-private partnership creates ‘one-stop shop’ to improve community wellness

The South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center is a “one-stop shop” the city and the children’s hospital created to improve community wellness and make it easier for people to get their needs met.

“Humans don’t need to be talked into using technology if they see a clear connection to making our own and other people’s lives better,” Amanda Bergson-Shilcock told the Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee July 11. Photo by Denny Henry
News

AI offers counties potential for hiring, retention

Despite employees’ concerns over the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence adoption in the job market, workforce professionals maintain optimism that the technology, still in its infancy, could lead to better services and products from the public sector. 

Texas National Guard troops use boats to search for survivors in Kerr County following floods that began in the region on July 4, 2025. More than 230 Guard personnel are working in three counties to clear debris and conduct search and rescue operations. Photo courtesy of the Texas National Guard
County News

Texas Hill Country floods kill more than 100 across six counties

Nineteen different local and state agencies are involved with the search and rescue efforts over six counties following flash flooding in Texas' Guadalupe River. 

Village members in the Baltimore County neighborhood of Turner Station pause for a photo with Girl Scout Troop 353 by the recently established garden in Chestnut Park. Photo courtesy of Arkia Wade
County News

Maryland county invests in community ‘villages’

Baltimore County, Md. created a volunteer network or “village” to help with everything from groceries to doctor’s appointment to fighting isolation. 

US Capitol
Advocacy

U.S. Congress passes reconciliation bill: What it means for counties

On July 3, the U.S. Congress passed sweeping budget reconciliation legislation.