Healthy Counties Initiative
NACo’s Healthy Counties Initiative creates and sustains healthy counties by supporting collaboration and sharing evidence-informed approaches to pressing health issues. The initiative is centered on supporting and elevating best practices and county innovations in public health. By addressing key public health issues, Healthy Counties empowers county leaders with resources for promoting and advancing health policies and programs that meet the needs of their communities.
The Healthy Counties Initiative is supported by the Healthy Counties Advisory Board, a committee comprised of county elected officials, key county agency staff and corporate partners. These members work collaboratively to identify priorities and ensure that other county leaders receive timely and useful information to make appropriate health decisions for their communities.
Resource
Healthy Counties: Fostering Better Health Outcomes in Children and Older Adults
Six years of the SUPPORT Act: Ongoing behavioral health policy priorities for counties
On October 24, 2018, the bipartisan SUPPORT Act was enacted. It represented the largest Congressional investment in overdose prevention at the time, aiming to strengthen the nation's response to the substance use crisis.
FCC adopts geo-routing requirements for the 988 Hotline
On October 17, the FCC adopted a Report and Order implementing new geo-routing requirements for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Counties Applaud Final Rulemaking to Improve 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The National Association of Counties (NACo) today applauded a unanimous vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Board of Commissioners to move forward with georouting for the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Report released on 1115 waiver implementation in California
In January 2023, California became the first state to receive federal approval for a Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration waiver to partially amend the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy.
CMS announces funding to improve the continuity of care for justice-involved individuals
On September 27, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced $106.5 million in state planning grants aimed at improving healthcare continuity for individuals transitioning from incarceration.
CMS proposes rules to increase healthcare access for key populations
On September 9, NACo submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on two key areas: revisions to Medicare’s custody definition and Special Enrollment Period for formerly incarcerated individuals, and updates to crisis stabilization unit payment policies.
Bridging Gaps: Collaborative Strategies for Supporting Youth Reentry Through Medicaid
Join the National Association of Medicaid Directors and NACo for a deep dive into CMS’s latest guidance on extending Medicaid and CHIP services to incarcerated youth. This policy shift opens up new opportunities for state and county partnerships to ensure continuous healthcare coverage for young people in the justice system. Discover practical approaches for collaboration between Medicaid agencies and county jails to facilitate successful enrollment, improve health outcomes, and support youths’ transitions back into the community. This session will include insights from county health leaders, best practices for cross-system coordination, and strategies for leveraging federal support to enhance service delivery.