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

January 15, 2026 - December 17, 2026

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.

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Grassroots Advocacy Series: Unlocking Tools to Tell Your County Story

June 2, 2026

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.

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Leveraging Opioid Settlement Funds for Housing Supports: Strategies for Counties

June 8, 2026

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

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

June 11, 2026

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.

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Tech Xchange Q2 Focus Group: Economic Strategy

June 11, 2026

Thursday, June 11, 2026 |  1:00 p.m - 2:00 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. 

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From Concept to Impact: How Counties are Successfully Evaluating the Use of AI

June 22, 2026

Monday, June 22, 2026 |  1:00 p.m - 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time

AI is transforming county government, but responsible adoption requires more than enthusiasm. In late 2025, the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) partnered with CAI to tackle a critical question: how can counties objectively evaluate AI tools for cost, security, data protection, and real-world fit? The answer became the GovAI Trustmark, a first-of-its-kind AI certification framework built by and for county government, launched in the spring of 2026. In this NACo webinar, the practitioners who were part of the workgroup will share the process in building this online evaluation dashboard and how it can work for counties nationwide.

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Collaborative Leadership Leads to Housing for All

June 24, 2026

Wednesday, June 24 | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET

Join the National Association of Counties and the National Association of Homebuilders for a conversation on approaches to advancing attainable housing solutions in communities across the country. This webinar will explore how local leaders are building consensus, fostering collaboration and advancing practical housing strategies that meet the needs of residents.
 
Featuring Supervisor Laura Capps of Santa Barbara County, California and Commissioner Bill Truex of Charlotte County, Florida, this discussion will highlight how county leaders are working toward shared solutions to address housing challenges in their communities.
 
Panelists will share how a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to housing can help drive meaningful progress and strengthen communities.

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Grassroots Advocacy Series: In-District Advocacy During Congressional Recess

July 9, 2026

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.

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Tech Xchange Q3 Focus Group: Workforce Challenges

August 19, 2026

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 |  2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Are Counties Solving Workforce Challenges—or Just Stretching the Staff They Have?

Counties continue to face persistent workforce challenges, including recruitment, retention, and evolving skill needs. While many jurisdictions have adopted new tools and approaches to address gaps, questions remain about whether these efforts are creating long-term capacity or simply extending existing staff.
 
This focus group will explore how counties are adapting their workforce strategies, leveraging technology to support operations, and identifying sustainable approaches to meeting service demands in a constrained labor environment.

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Tech Xchange Q4 Focus Group: Cyber Risk

October 14, 2026

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 |  2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Are Counties Keeping Up with Cyber Risk—or Falling Further Behind?


Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, placing increasing pressure on counties to protect critical systems and sensitive data. While awareness and investment have grown, many counties face ongoing challenges related to funding, staffing, and rapidly changing risks.
 
This focus group will explore how counties are approaching cybersecurity, prioritizing investments, and strengthening resilience in an increasingly complex threat environment. 

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