Upcoming Events

NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties

Last year's Inside Washington series is now NACo Policy Insider, a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties, as well as deeper dives into specific policy areas, equipping county leaders with insights, context, and strategies to engage effectively on key issues from transportation and infrastructure, to public lands, to disasters, to health and human services, and more. 

For more information, visit the series page.

Opportunity Zones 2.0: Economic Development and Community Revitalization

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET

Opportunity Zones are entering a new phase – and county leaders are critical to the conversation.

Join us on May 12, at 3:00 PM ET to hear directly from leaders at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:

• Ashlea Quinonez, Regional Administrator, Region VI
• Duey Stroebel, Regional Administrator, Region V
• Erich Yost, MBA, Senior Management and Program Analyst

• A clear understanding of OZ 1.0 successes in communities
• Insight into how OZ 2.0 expands long-term investment potential
• Practical examples of how localities are using tax incentives to fund growth
• A framework for aligning community revitalization with local priorities

Breaking the Cycle: Behavioral Health Diversion Strategies for Counties

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET

Across America, many 911 calls involving behavioral health crises still result in arrest rather than a connection to care. For counties, this is not just a public safety challenge; it is a fiscal and public health imperative. Jails and emergency departments remain the default response for individuals in mental health and substance use crises, contributing to higher system costs and deepening the cycle of criminalization for people who need treatment.

This interactive fireside chat brings together county leaders and behavioral health experts to explore how communities are building the diversion infrastructure to change outcomes. Drawing on established and emerging models, panelists will examine what effective behavioral health crisis co-response looks like in practice and what distinguishes counties that have built durable diversion systems from those still relying on arrest as a default.

Panelists will speak candidly about their experience in local implementation, including funding strategies and the development of local cross-system partnerships. Whether your county is exploring its first co-response pilot or looking to scale and sustain existing efforts, this session offers practical, evidence-grounded insights for leaders ready to move from default to design.

For more information, visit the event page.

Tech Xchange Q2 Focus Group: Economic Strategy

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 |  2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Are Counties Investing Strategically—or Reacting to Economic Pressure?

Counties are navigating a complex economic environment marked by rising costs, evolving revenue streams, and continued demand for essential services. While many have made significant investments in technology and modernization, questions remain about whether these investments are part of long-term strategy or responses to immediate pressures.

This focus group will explore how county leaders are prioritizing investments, balancing short-term needs with long-term resilience, and identifying opportunities to strengthen financial sustainability through more strategic decision-making. 

From Classroom to County: Leading with High-Performance Results

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET

How do county leaders move from theory to transformative action? This webinar features a panel of graduates from the NACo High Performance Leadership Academy who will share real-world examples of the program's 5 essential skills. 

• Lead: Fostered cultures of accountability within their local governments
• Organize: Managed complex organizational change
• Collaborate: How they’ve broken down departmental silos 
• Deliver: Drive better community outcomes
• Communicate: How to effectively speak the language of the organization across diverse stakeholder groups

This webinar is brought to you by NACo EDGE, establishing people, purchasing, and performance cost-saving solutions that can be applied to counties nationwide. EDGE is owned by NACo, advised by county leaders and 100% focused on solutions for U.S. Counties. Learn more about NACo EDGE here.

Grassroots Advocacy Series: Unlocking Tools to Tell Your County Story

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. ET

Join us for the first webinar in NACo’s new Grassroots Advocacy Series, developed in response to County Pulse survey feedback and the creation of NACo’s grassroots advocacy role. This session will highlight how county leaders can leverage NACo tools and resources to effectively engage in federal advocacy. Attendees will receive a practical overview of existing platforms and features that support outreach and engagement, with guidance on how to use these tools to elevate county priorities at the federal level.

Leveraging Opioid Settlement Funds for Housing Supports: Strategies for Counties

Monday, June 8, 2026 | 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET.

Counties across the country are working to expand safe and supportive housing for their residents with substance use disorder, recognizing housing as a critical part of the recovery continuum of care. This webinar will highlight practical strategies for using opioid settlement funds to support housing initiatives at the local level. Given ongoing ambiguity around allowable uses of settlement funds, the session will offer clear guidance on emerging models, compliance considerations and opportunities to fund housing as part of broader recovery infrastructure. 

For more information, visit the event page. 

Balancing Public Meeting and Records Transparency Amid Rising Threats and Public Pressure

Thursday, June 11, 2026 |  2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Public meetings and public records are essential to local government transparency—but in today’s environment, public servants are often navigating elevated civic tension and evolving threats. In this webinar, we’ll discuss three connected realities: curtailing violence and disruption at public meetings, protecting public official and staff personal information, and safeguarding sensitive resident data (including voter related records) while still meeting legal obligations for access. We’ll share practical approaches to maintain order and continuity in public meetings; respond to rising volumes and complexity of public records requests without overwhelming staff or eroding trust; and apply clear processes for review, redaction, and access controls so transparency is preserved without increasing safety risk.

Grassroots Advocacy Series: In-District Advocacy During Congressional Recess

Thursday, July 9, 2026 | 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Prepare to make the most of the August congressional recess with this practical, how-to webinar for county leaders. This session will walk through NACo’s new recess advocacy guide and provide step-by-step guidance on engaging members of Congress while they are in their districts. Attendees will learn how to request meetings and site visits, understand when to pursue in-office versus on-site engagement and gain tips for hosting effective visits and maintaining relationships with congressional offices. The session will also highlight key in-district periods on the congressional calendar to help counties plan and act with confidence.