Apply Now: 2024-2025 Presidential Appointments

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Celebrate National County Government Month

This April, join us in celebrating National County Government Month (NCGM). This is an excellent opportunity for counties, parishes and boroughs to highlight effective programs and raise public awareness about our essential roles and responsibilities. Below, explore our tools to help tell the county story, inspire civic engagement and educate a wide range of audiences about county government.

All NCGM Resources

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Counties Matter: Stronger Counties. Stronger America.

Counties Matter. Counties serve nearly every American every day. Urban, suburban and rural — counties work with states, the federal government and other public and private partners to keep our communities healthy, safe and vibrant.

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The Marvelous Adventures of Countyland

The Marvelous Adventures of Countyland is an experimental publication created with generative artificial intelligence (AI). Its objectives are to showcase the capabilities of AI, to stimulate discussions regarding AI's applications in the public sector, and to inspire young people around the role of county government.

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America's County Governments: A Short Primer on Our History, Definitions, Structures and Authorities

Counties are one of America’s oldest forms of government, dating back to 1634 when the first county governments (shires) were established along the eastern shores of Virginia. Though today, the governance and organizational structures vary nationally and even within a state, all 3,069 county, parish and borough governments are on the front lines of delivering vital services to residents.

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Counties Work Game & Curriculum

NACo, together with iCivics, has created an online game and curriculum to educate students grade levels 6-12 about the important role and functions of county government. 

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Governing on the Ground

Governing on the Ground is an inside look at the complex challenges faced by officials as they strive to strengthen their communities. The book features 30 short chapters contributed by county leaders.

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Program

County Governance Project

A comprehensive guide to county government structure, authority, services and finances.

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The County Landscape

Counties are one of America’s original forms of government, dating back to 1634 when the first county governments (shires) were established in Virginia. The organization and structure of today’s 3,069 county governments are chartered under state constitutions or laws and are tailored to fit the needs and characteristics of the state and local areas.

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County Explorer Data

Explore your county through over 1000 indicators and nearly 100 datasets.

Our Top Picks

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Cost-Saving Tools

Solutions from NACo EDGE

NACo EDGE establishes sustainable, cost-saving and value-added solutions that can be applied to counties nationwide. By providing quality solutions, we strive to develop and maintain healthy, vibrant and safe counties across the United States.

Learn More

Solutions for Counties

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NACo Deferred Compensation Program

NACo's Deferred Compensation Program has helped more than 1.5 million county employees and retirees save for and live comfortably in retirement. More than 423,000 county employees from over 3,000 county agencies participate, with accumulated assets of more than $25 billion.

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Public Promise Insurance Agency

Public Promise Insurance is a fully licensed provider that strengthens local governments. We provide voluntary benefits to public employees and their families with cost effective and best-in-class solutions.

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Public Promise Procurement

Providing public sector and other entities with a vetted, transparent option for purchasing goods and services more efficiently and cost effectively.

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Live Healthy U.S. Counties

The NACo Live Healthy Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program is a no-cost program available to all member counties, providing relief to uninsured and underinsured Americans facing growing health costs.

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cashvest® by threeplusone®

cashvest® by threeplusone® provides a new and unparalleled level of liquidity analysis and data services for local, county, school district and community college governing bodies.

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ClearGov®

ClearGov® is the leading provider of budget cycle management software, focused on helping local governments streamline the annual budgeting process.

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Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

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NACo High Performance Leadership Academy

The NACo High Performance Leadership Academy is an innovative, completely online 12-week program created to equip frontline county government professionals with practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and communities.

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NACo Enterprise Cybersecurity Leadership Academy

The NACo Enterprise Cybersecurity Leadership Academy is an online 12-week collaborative readiness program led by Fortune 500 CISOs and peers who deliver a proven framework and insights on leading and securing a network and an organization.

Upcoming Events

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Webinar

County Strategies Supporting Older Adults and Their Caregivers

Join NACo and the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) to learn more about the new Action Guide for counties.

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Webinar

Embracing Financial Innovation: Empowering Beaufort County's Treasurer's Department

Join us for an insightful webinar as we delve into the cutting-edge financial strategies employed by Maria Walls, Treasurer of Beaufort County, SC. Discover how she is transforming fiscal management with the support of the cashVest program. 

In this interactive session, Treasurer Walls will share her experiences and success stories in leveraging data to optimize the county's liquidity, maximize returns, and enhance overall financial performance. Learn about the strategic decisions made possible by this unique program that has generated over $12 million dollars for her community in the last 12 months alone!

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Webinar

Global Connections for Your Local Economy Virtual Training #1: How to “Sell” Your Community to Foreign Investors

In this first training, we will discuss key strategies for promoting your community to foreign investors with economic development experts.

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Webinar

Learn How Ulster County, N.Y. Modernized Their Budgeting Process

Join ClearGov for a live discussion to learn how local governments have adopted cloud-based solutions to streamline, modernize, and strengthen the way they build and communicate their budgets.

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Webinar

Demystifying Student Debt Forgiveness for County Employees: NACo's Public Promise Insurance’s New Partnership with Savi Simplifies the Student Debt Relief Process

Did you know that it is highly-likely that many of your county employees qualify for this new student debt forgiveness that seems to be dominating the headlines?
 

The real question is: are they aware of it? Are they maximizing their student debt forgiveness?
 

With new student loan payments coming back late in 2023, many are scrambling to find ways to cover student debt payments that have been paused for over 3 years! With 150+ debt relief programs out there and different qualification requirements for each, the process remains extremely confusing and cumbersome.  

Please join us as we speak with student debt forgiveness expert Tony Raffa who will clear up much of the confusion out there as we cover:

  • Overview of current student debt relief programs and who is eligible.
  • Common issues with applying for and receiving student debt forgiveness
  • Upcoming deadlines that those with student debt need to be aware of
  • A new tool available to help your employees calculate their potential student debt relief and cut through the red tape when applying.
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Webinar

Insights from the Reaching Rural Initiative - Navigating Leadership, Innovation and Community Impact in Addressing Substance Use Disorder in Rural Communities

The Reaching Rural Initiative is co-sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Justice Institute.

County News

Stay up-to-date on America's counties with NACo's award-winning County News.

Jeremy J. Chatelain rides a trail in El Paso County, Colo. using an off-road wheelchair. Photo courtesy of Jeremy J. Chatelain
County News

County offers off-road wheelchairs for visitors with disability, mobility issues

El Paso County, Colo.’s Trailability Program offers off-road wheelchairs for county park visitors with disabilities and mobility issues, increasing access to nature and reinvigorating residents’ love for the outdoors. 

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County News

Citizens help parish hire administrator

Jefferson Davis Parish, La. looked to its civically-engaged residents to help take politics out of hiring an administrator.

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County News

Cook County creates health and social services center for asylum-seekers

Cook County opened and expanded the Refugee Health Center to meet the needs of an influx of asylum-seekers. 

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Get Involved

Join NACo and Lead

NACo unites nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees to advocate for county priorities, promote  exemplary county policies and practices, nurture leadership skills, optimize county and taxpayer resources, and enrich the public’s understanding of county government.

Join NACo

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Enter your email to receive the latest updates from NACo. Also, be sure to also follow us on social media.