Human Services & Education Policy Steering Committee
About the Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education.
Policy Platform 2024-2025
Every county in the U.S. administers and funds part of the cost of strengthening communities and protecting and enhancing families. The NACo Human Services & Education Steering Committee exists to support counties in this work.
Resource
County Policy Priorities for Transforming the Child Welfare System
Carter’s big speech had an assist from a NACo president
While Jimmy Carter wrote one of the enduring speeches from his presidency, he sought input from NACo President Charlotte Williams.
Congress passes Laken Riley Act
On January 22, Congress passed the bipartisan Laken Riley Act (S.5/H.R. 29), which requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain any undocumented immigrant who has been arrested for violent or property-related crimes, and gives states new authority to sue the federal government over certain immigration-related decisions.
Heavier truck proposals in Congress threaten county bridges
Congress has already taken steps to increase maximum allowable truck weight, but county leaders should be sounding the alarm about what that can mean for their roads and bridges.
Congress reintroduces 9-1-1 SAVES Act
On January 16, the 9-1-1 Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (SAVES) Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation aims to officially reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders, granting these professionals the recognition they deserve for their vital contributions to public safety.
HUD withdraws proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule
On January 16, 2025 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published in the Federal Register a withdrawal of a proposed affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) rule from February 2023. The 2023 proposed rule incorporated much of the framework of a 2015 AFFH rule and would have required program participants to submit an equity plan to HUD every five years.
Resource
The County Human Services and Education Landscape
Human Services & Education Policy Briefs
Committee Chair
View all committee members here.
Hon. Shannon Jones
Committee Contact
Julia Cortina
Join a NACo Committee
Join a committee and make a difference. Learn more about getting involved with NACo.