Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS)

Image of IBTS_logo.png

About IBTS

IBTS is a national nonprofit organization and trusted advisor and partner to local, state, and federal governments.

We are proud to support and strengthen counties by providing solutions in federal grants management; disaster preparation, planning, mitigation, and recovery; solar quality assurance; resilience planning; and much more. Please contact us today to see how IBTS can assist your county.

Contact: Karen Johnson, Market Engagement Program Director, at kjohnson@ibts.org, or visit our website.

NACo & IBTS

We value our commitment to NACo and its members. Not only is IBTS a NACo Premier Silver Corporate Partner and Resilient Counties Sponsor, NACo has also appointed a representative to our Board of Directors since 1997. This unique and innovative partnership ensures that our work is guided in part by the needs of NACo members.

For counties, there is always more to do and not enough resources with which to do it. IBTS recognizes this, as well as other unique challenges and expectations that accompany providing essential county services effectively and transparently. Whether your county needs assistance navigating the complexities of federal grant compliance; ensuring effective and appropriate management of publicly funded renewable energy projects; recovering from a disaster or becoming more resilient to future ones, you can be assured that IBTS has the professional expertise you need as well as our nonprofit commitment to seeing your county succeed.

Disaster Management

Prior to and following a disaster, IBTS can help your community recover quickly by leveraging FEMA and Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds and providing program management and oversight, disaster assessments, inspections, quality assurance, community engagement and public relations, and more.

Federal Grants Management

IBTS has managed hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants for local governments without a single audit finding. Our time-tested processes and tools and wealth of federal grants expertise ensures reliable compliance and financial controls, grant administration, program management, and oversight, to give your community peace of mind that funds are spent appropriately and effectively. In addition to FEMA and CDBG-DR funding your county may receive following a disaster (see “Disaster Management,” above), IBTS also provides management services for ARPA, FEMA BRIC, CDBG-MIT, and many other types of federal grants.

Renewable Energy Program Management

As counties across the U.S. are initiating renewable energy projects to benefit their communities, many are finding themselves in unknown territory. IBTS can assist your county with project planning and management, ensuring that public funds will be spent appropriately and efficiently, giving your community the most benefit with the least hassle.

Resilience Assessment and Planning Services

IBTS knows that each community’s resilience needs are unique, so we customize our services to fit your county’s needs. Through a suite of resilience assessment and planning services, IBTS will help your county anticipate risk, limit impact, and bounce back rapidly from natural or manmade disasters. Our services range from baseline assessments and resilience workshop facilitation to identify immediate needs that address chronic stressors to project impact assessments to prioritize your county’s initiatives.

Stories from our partners

NACo partners with the private sector on solutions.

Together, we are highlighting innovative solutions for counties, as we work with our federal, state, local and private sector partners to build healthy, safe and vibrant communities.

View all stories

Picnic
News

Feeding kids during the summer requires county officials

The introduction of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program marks a pivotal shift in addressing childhood hunger, especially during the summer when school meals are unavailable. This nationwide initiative, offering substantial grocery benefits, promises transformative support for over 29 million children, with a significant impact on communities facing systemic inequalities.

Programmers
News

Why customer-centric strategy is vital for digital service adoption

The importance of a customer-centric strategy in digital service adoption for county governments is emphasized, highlighting the need for thoughtful design, clear communication, and multi-channel engagement to meet user expectations and improve customer experience.

EMS
News

Fighting opioid addiction – one life at a time

The opioid crisis, a major national issue, saw a 55% increase in drug overdose deaths from 2019 to 2022, with 75% involving opioids. Effective strategies to combat this include integrated care, policy enhancement, and technology, focusing on whole-person care and intervention opportunities to save lives.

Building facade
News

Planning for the post-American Rescue Plan Act future

Guidehouse outlines strategies for state and local governments to sustain programs after the end of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) funding. It emphasizes the need for reassessing constituent needs, measuring program impact, and considering fiscal implications to ensure long-term viability and effective resource allocation for programs initially funded by SLFRF.

Group with hands in
News

How voluntary benefits can help improve your employee benefit package

Voluntary benefits, tailored to diverse employee needs and often at reduced costs, are proving essential in enhancing employer benefit packages, attracting, and retaining talent, and addressing specific wellbeing issues across different age and income groups.

Deterra
News

A countywide opioid misuse prevention campaign is easier to implement than you think

The Deterra Household Mailing Campaign delivers educational tools and deactivation pouches directly to homes. To save lives by tackling the opioid crisis.

Fire danger sign
News

From prevention to resilience: Strategies in wildfire mitigation

Explore a multifaceted approach to wildfire mitigation with Tidal Basin. From creating defensible spaces to early detection systems, discover strategies fostering resilient communities, protecting lives & property. Urgent action is crucial amidst rising wildfire risks. Learn more at TidalBasinGroup.com. 

San Francisco smog
News

A breathing crisis: Rising concerns over U.S. air quality

Facing a stark rise in hazardous air quality, the U.S. grapples with the health implications of escalating pollutants. The alarming data from the American Lung Association urges a renewed focus on air quality management. Federal and local initiatives are in play, yet a unified approach is crucial to mitigate risks and safeguard public health. 

Laptop
News

Cybersecurity insurance can be affordable

Cybersecurity insurance rates rose significantly in 2022, with some policyholders experiencing up to 100% rate increases due to the evolving threat landscape and their own cybersecurity measures. CAI emphasizes the importance of understanding and improving an organization's cybersecurity maturity using the NIST 2.0 framework, which can not only strengthen protection against cyber threats but also potentially lower insurance premiums.

Image of GettyImages-1402667894.jpg
News

Equitable climate resilience (ECR) for local governments: Using data to drive decision making

Discover vital strategies for embedding social equity in your climate resilience plans.

Image of GettyImages-1369278807.jpg
News

Everything you need to know about artificial intelligence and GIS

Explore the transformative power of AI & GIS in county government operations.

Image of GettyImages-1081574962.jpg
News

How counties are taking control of constituent communication

Discover the best strategies for effective constituent communication.

Image of Deterra_NACo_BlogPost_PillBottle.png
News

How counties can extend the reach of drug disposal programs with at-home drug deactivation and disposal

Now is a critical time for counties to engage their communities in the prevention of drug misuse.