Equitable Governance: 2022 NACo DEI County Convening, Strategies for Governing with Equity
The National Association of Counties hosted a full-day diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) county convening before NACo’s 2022 Annual Conference to discuss the importance of equity in governance and how to strategically align efforts at the county level. The convening brought together over 50 participants from over 20 counties who sent a team comprised of a DEI practitioner, county administrator and elected official. Throughout the convening, attendees discussed the unique challenges and opportunities they see in their distinct roles and explored how to advance the principles of DEI by considering community data differently. Equitable Governance: 2022 NACo DEI County Convening, Key County Roles, Opportunities and Strategies for Governing with Equity lays out key takeaways from the convening.
County News
County News Spotlight: DEI Strategies
MAHA Commission releases federal strategy outlining next steps in childhood chronic disease prevention
On September 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s new Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, following the earlier MAHA Report published in May 2025. The strategy builds on the assessment’s findings regarding four key drivers of childhood chronic disease: poor diet, chemical exposure, lack of physical activity and chronic stress and overmedicalization.
Paid training program helps staff a county park system
Modeled on the Civilian Conservation Corps, Erie County, N.Y.'s training and internship program aims to help fill vacant staff positions while offering the necessary training.
Record high Capitol Hill meeting schedule pushes public lands funding
More than three dozen public lands county officials conducted 80 meetings with congressional staff to advocate for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools programs.
National Association of Counties Statement on the Killing of Charlie Kirk
In response to the fatal shooting today of Charlie Kirk, National Association of Counties (NACo) President J.D. Clark issued the following statement:
County Leaders Advocate for Payments in Lieu of Taxes, Secure Rural Schools
Meetings on Capitol Hill, public event underscore intergovernmental partnership to support public lands counties.