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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Press Release

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. 

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Press Release

National Association of Counties Reinforces Intergovernmental Partnership in Response to State of the Union Address

The National Association of Counties (NACo) responded to President Trump’s State of the Union address with a statement from Executive Director Matthew Chase.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. discusses health issues Feb. 24 at the NACo Legislative Conference at the Washington Hilton. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

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.

U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), a co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, discusses legislation Feb. 23 at the General Session that could help alleviate unmet mental health needs often shouldered by counties. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

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, Va. Supervisor Andrea Bailey discusses the success of the county’s Crisis Receiving Center Feb. 21 during a meeting of the NACo Health Policy Steering Committee. Photo by Leon Lawrence III
County News

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.

Cheryl Vincent Freiman, majority staff director of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare, discusses foster care initiatives Feb. 21 at the Human Services and Education Policy Steering Committee meeting. Photo by Leon Lawrence III
County News

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.