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

Professional Development Academy and National Association of Counties launch expanded partnership to support local government leaders

Professional Development Academy and NACo expand their partnership to train 10,000 more county leaders, equipping officials with critical leadership and tech skills.

bike
Advocacy

SAMHSA releases new 2024 data on rates of mental illness and substance use disorder in the U.S.

On July 28, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the findings of its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which provides data on rates of substance use and mental illness at the national, state and local level. 

Crews remove ladder fuels at Land Trust of Napa County’s Linda Falls Preserve in Angwin, CA. Photo by Mike Palladini – Land Trust of Napa County.
Advocacy

Federal judge temporarily halts FEMA disaster mitigation grant program termination

On April 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it will not allocate $750 million this year for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. According to the press release, FEMA will also stop funding BRIC projects that were previously approved and are still underway.

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County News

Podcast: County experience can improve disaster response

Kevin Leonard, executive director of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and Amanda McKinney, a Yakima County, Wash. commissioner, talk about two different challenges county officials face in responding to disasters.

Doctor and patient
Advocacy

Congress introduces bipartisan legislation to strengthen rural health care access and funding

Rural communities face unique health care challenges, from provider shortages to funding disparities. To address these concerns, the U.S. Senate recently introduced two bipartisan bills aimed at improving rural health care access and funding: the Rural Health Focus Act and the Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act.

Public Lands Counties
Advocacy

Senate lawmakers introduce bipartisan legislation to support public lands counties

On August 4, U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the More Opportunities for Rural Economies (MORE) Grants Package.