Hiring Neurodiverse Talent in the Public Sector - Breaking Down the Barriers

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features

Employers are thriving in Audrain County, Mo. because their workers are thriving, thanks to the local chamber of commerce's programming to help meet employees' needs.

There’s no chicken-or-egg debate: Economic mobility is not just a byproduct of growth — it is the result of intentional county governance.

Hertford County, N.C. leaders positioned the county to capitalize on new shipping corridors that will link it to the rest of the world.

In rural Georgia, Telfair County is taking meaningful steps toward expanding broadband access as a strategic lever for economic mobility.

Join county IT leaders to hear how they are defending local government systems, staff, and constituents from ever-increasing cyber-attacks. The panelists will discuss specific examples of cyber-attacks they are experiencing, how elected officials are integral to the defense, as well as monitoring, education and interactive staff activities they provided during October Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

This webinar will showcase how GoFundMe serves as a trusted partner for counties and communities in times of crisis. 

Join us for a fireside chat with Orleans County, NY, as they share how their team successfully transitioned from a traditional capital expense (CapEx) model to an operational expense (OpEx) model for network services.

When faced with rising maintenance costs and an expiring carrier contract, the county seized the opportunity to modernize its network and lock in predictable monthly costs. By bundling connectivity services with unified communications, they achieved immediate savings of over $124,000, eliminated recurring charges such as long-distance fees and third-party integration costs, and gained access to operational upgrades like call analytics and auto-attendants.

This shift not only strengthened financial planning through fixed monthly expenses but also freed up IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives.

Key takeaway: Rethinking your budget model can be just as impactful as upgrading your technology — delivering fiscal stability and enhanced services for your community.

This session explores the intersection where securing election operations meets digital realities. In an interconnected world, where officials face increased cyber threats and scrutiny, governance forms the backbone of order. This training unravels the fundamentals of governance to strengthen democracy in the digital age, with a particular focus on supply chain and data management.

The NACo AI Regional Forum series is convening local government elected officials, appointed officers, department heads, and staff across different geographical regions to provide an educational, hands-on symposium on the landscape of artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence—especially generative AI—is no longer a “future trend” for county governments. It’s here, and its impact depends on how it’s implemented. Successful projects don’t start and end with the IT department; they require strong collaboration across communications, customer service, and business units to ensure technology delivers real outcomes for residents.

Hear from Wyandotte County, KS, where a community speaking 31 languages and handling 50,000 calls a year with just three staff members needed a smarter way to serve residents. Learn how the county partnered across departments to design and deploy conversational digital agents that address real service challenges—while safeguarding data, maintaining public trust, and ensuring equitable access.