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Reports & ToolkitsAmerica’s counties are on the front lines of our nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. During this unprecedented public health emergency and the aftermath of an economic crisis, counties are committed to strong intergovernmental cooperation to mitigate COVID-19 and its far-reaching impacts on America’s people and places.Counties Matter: COVID-19
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Counties Matter: COVID-19
America’s counties are on the front lines of our nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. During this unprecedented public health emergency and the aftermath of an economic crisis, counties are committed to strong intergovernmental cooperation to mitigate COVID-19 and its far-reaching impacts on America’s people and places.
- Download One-Pager
- NACo.org/coronavirus
https://www.youtube.com/embed/EJe1jh8r_V4
COMMUNITY HEALTH
- Counties support 903 hospitals, 824 long-term care facilities and over 1,900 public health departments
- In 26 states, counties are required to provide health care for low-income, uninsured or underinsured residents
- Counties contribute to the non-federal share of Medicaid in 26 states. Of these states, 18 mandate counties to contribute to the non-federal share of Medicaid costs and/or administrative, program, physical health and behavioral health costs
- Local governments, mostly counties, contribute $28 billion to the non-federal share of Medicaid annually
- Mandated county contributions are the highest in New York. Counties in New York and New York City send over $7 billion per year – or $140 million per week – to the state for Medicaid costs
- 75 percent of federal funding used by counites in FY 2014-2016 was for health and human services
HUMAN SERVICES
- In at least 10 states that represent at least a third of the U.S. population, counties are responsible for administering federal human service programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the child welfare system and the Child Care and Development Block Grant
- Counties invest $58 billion annually in federal, state and local dollars on human services programs
- As unemployment numbers skyrocket, county residents will turn to human services agencies in unprecedented numbers to access safety net programs. At the same time, general revenue funds — which counties often use to supplement federal and state funding for human services programs — are declining dramatically
COUNTY MANAGEMENT
- Led by 40,000 county elected officials, counties employ 3.6 million people, or 1 percent of the entire U.S. population
- Every two years during elections, counties fund and oversee more than 100,000 polling places
JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
- Counties typically operate 911 call centers, county Emergency Operations Centers and emergency planning and response functions
- Counties provide essential public safety services from law enforcement to fire and rescue to even coroners and medical examiners
- Counties operate 91 percent of all local jails, with 11 million total admissions nationally each year, and an average daily jail population of 750,000 inmates
- Counties invest $35 billion annually in 3,041 police and sheriffs’ departments, mostly with local funds
TRANSPORTATION
- Counties directly support 34 percent of the nation’s public airports
- Counties support 78 percent of public transit systems that connect people, communities and economies
- Counties own 45 percent of public road miles and 40 percent of the nation’s bridges
- Counties invest $134 billion in the construction of infrastructure, maintenance and operation of public works, such as roads and bridges, wastewater and stormwater systems, county hospitals, courthouses, jails and other public facilities
- To fund and finance infrastructure, counties use a combination of federal, state and local dollars, including user fees and tax-exempt municipal bonds
America’s counties are on the front lines of our nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.2020-04-13Reports & Toolkits2020-04-22
America’s counties are on the front lines of our nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. During this unprecedented public health emergency and the aftermath of an economic crisis, counties are committed to strong intergovernmental cooperation to mitigate COVID-19 and its far-reaching impacts on America’s people and places.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/EJe1jh8r_V4
COMMUNITY HEALTH
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HUMAN SERVICES
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COUNTY MANAGEMENT
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JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
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TRANSPORTATION
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Visit NACo.org/coronavirus to find the latest county-level data
County Declarations and Policies in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic |
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County Supported Local Health Departments (LHDs) |
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Counties administer TANF in 10 states |
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Medicaid contribution mandates for counties |
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About Teryn Zmuda (Full Bio)
Chief Research Officer & Chief Economist
Teryn Zmuda is the chief research officer and chief economist at the National Association of Counties (NACo), overseeing the Programs and Practices Division and the Research and Data Analytics Division.More from Teryn Zmuda
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Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Revisiting Technical Violations of Community Supervision to Decrease Jail Admissions and Length of Stay
Feb. 2, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmUnable to attend? Watch the recording here. -
Policy Brief
Enhance Counties' Ability to Prevent and Treat Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
Urge your members of Congress to maintain consistent funding for substance use and mental health services provided through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and pass legislation that enhances counties’ ability to provide local systems of care. Future appropriations bills should meet or exceed FY 2022 funding levels, particularly for the Community Mental Health Services (MHBG) and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) block grants, which allow counties to direct resources to those with the most need. -
Policy Brief
Protect Funding for Core Local Public Health Services and Prevention Programs
Urge your members of Congress, especially those who serve on the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees, to protect funding for local public health services and prevention programs made possible by the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF). -
Policy Brief
Support Counties in Improving Health Services for Justice-Involved Individuals
Urge your members of Congress to support counties’ efforts to improve health services for justice-involved individuals and reduce the number of people with mental illness in jails. Specifically, urge your representatives on health-authorizing committees to support legislation that would allow individuals in custody to continue receiving Medicaid and other federal health benefits until they are convicted, sentenced and incarcerated; require states to suspend instead of terminate Medicaid for individuals in jails; and allow for comprehensive behavioral health services and the recruitment of health professionals in county jails. -
Policy Brief
Fund Local Crisis Response Efforts
Urge your members of Congress to appropriate Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that is at or above the level of $101.6 million appropriated in FY 2022. -
County News
Hamilton County, Ohio creates ‘Safe Sleep’ Initiative to prevent infant deaths
Hamilton County, Ohio launched a Safe Sleep initiative in an attempt to curb infant deaths related to unsafe sleeping.
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Webinar
Local Strategies for Reaching Families and Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
February 8, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmExperiencing homelessness in early childhood can have long-term impacts on health, education and well-being for both children and parents. Homelessness among young children is often hidden, making it harder to collect accurate data and ensure that these children are connected to the services and resources they need.02082:00 pm<p>Experiencing homelessness in early childhood can have long-term impacts on health, education and well-being for both children and parents.
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Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Lowering Recidivism through Jail- and Community-Based Treatment and Services
April 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmReducing recidivism through effective jail- and community-based services can decrease jail admissions and populations and improve outcomes for people with criminal histories.04062:00 pm<p>Reducing recidivism through effective jail- and community-based services can decrease jail admissions and populations and improve outcomes for people with criminal histories.</p>
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The Stepping Up Initiative
In May 2015, NACo and partners at the CSG Justice Center and APA Foundation launched Stepping Up: A National Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out">
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Reports & Toolkits
COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse
The COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse features timely resources for counties, including allocation estimations, examples of county programs using federal coronavirus relief funds, the latest news and more.Reports & Toolkitsdocument03127:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="ad-block no-top-margin no-bullets">
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Reports & Toolkits
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Resource Hub
Explore NACo's resource hub for the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.Reports & Toolkitsdocument010512:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent">
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Live Healthy U.S. Counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program is a NO-COST program available to all member counties.pagepagepage<h1>With <a id="naco" name="naco">NACo</a>, Saving Feels Better</h1>
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Reports & Toolkits
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.Reports & Toolkitsdocument10123:30 pmReports & Toolkits<p>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.
Contact
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Chief Research Officer & Chief Economist(202) 661-8821
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Legislative Director – Health | Large Urban County Caucus(202) 942-4246
Related News
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County NewsHamilton County, Ohio creates ‘Safe Sleep’ Initiative to prevent infant deathsJan. 30, 2023
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BlogWhat have we learned about governing during the pandemic era?Jan. 27, 2023
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BlogRecent federal action advances key maternal health policiesJan. 19, 2023
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Policy BriefEnhance Counties' Ability to Prevent and Treat Mental Illness and Substance Use DisordersFeb. 1, 2023
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Policy BriefProtect Funding for Core Local Public Health Services and Prevention ProgramsFeb. 1, 2023
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Policy BriefSupport Counties in Improving Health Services for Justice-Involved IndividualsFeb. 1, 2023
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