County Leadership in Mental Health: How Counties Are Leading the Way to Address Workforce Challenges
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Blaire Bryant
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Jonah Cunningham
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Behavioral health conditions affect millions of Americans. With demand for services increasing and a shortage of providers nationwide, it is critical to develop both interim and long-term solutions for enhancing the workforce to respond to the needs of local residents.
Counties across the nation are investing in programs and initiatives that both assist with and incentivize the recruitment, training and placement of behavioral health providers that will work within local and under resourced communities. Counties rely on intergovernmental partners to supplement these investments through the enhancement of existing programs and establishment of new programs that promote workforce recruitment and retention.
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NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
Launched in February 2023, the NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing brings together county leaders from across the nation to take action to address the ever-growing mental health crisis from the county government perspective.
![Mental Health Commission Header Image](https://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/styles/667x579/public/2023-08/MentalHealthMonth_Images2_0.png?h=0368bfd5&itok=t5IpiE36)
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Collaboration and mental health support address youth substance use disorder
Counties are investing in education, harm reduction and peer support recovery to combat unintentional overdoses.
![1460869106](https://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/styles/385x285/public/2024-06/GettyImages-1460869106.jpg?h=6aa7ffd2&itok=MaqYCFr6)
National Association of Counties launches economic mobility program for rural counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) today announced the creation of Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility (RLEM), a national program with teams of 10 county elected officials and 10 non-elected county leaders to pursue effective strategies to improve economic mobility conditions that move individuals and families out of poverty.
![THE_County Countdown_working_image-4.png](https://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/styles/385x285/public/2023-10/THE_County%20Countdown_working_image-4.png?h=abdb0f6f&itok=66AjrCqr)
County Countdown – July 1, 2024
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.