On alternating weeks, NACo's Resource Roundup highlights opportunities, reports, upcoming events and other tools, and the County Countdown provides a review of key policy items for county leaders.
This Veteran’s Day, we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Operation Green Light. Join the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs in showing support for veterans by lighting our buildings green from Nov. 4-11.
Access the toolkit: The 2025 Operation Green Light toolkit includes resolution and press release templates, social media graphics, a list of suggested materials and more.
Share your participation: Let NACo know how you plan to participate using our participation form. Please also share your Operation Green Light photos with us by emailing them to cleo...@naco.org.
Spread the word on social media: Use #OperationGreenLight to raise awareness and encourage participation from residents, community groups and intergovernmental partners.
As the Sept. 30 federal funding deadline approaches, counties are preparing for the potential impacts of a government shutdown.
Why it matters: Counties generate more than two-thirds of the revenue needed to serve residents, but they also depend on $62 billion in federal funding each year — making predictable federal support essential.
What counties face: A shutdown could disrupt counties' ability to deliver essential services to residents, including nutrition assistance, airport security, infrastructure projects, public housing and homelessness.
What to know: Counties are calling on our federal partners to work in a bipartisan way to keep the federal government fully operational. Read our full FAQs on how a shutdown could impact essential services and other federal functions.
Child care access remains one of the toughest challenges facing counties. The latest issue of County News spotlights the innovative ways counties are supporting children and families.
Hidden homelessness: Counties are fighting child housing instability with eviction prevention, rental assistance and targeted youth support.
New podcast episode: Boone County, Mo., Commissioner Janet Thompson joins the County News Podcast to discuss how inadequate childhood services affect children, families and county workforces, and what counties can do in response.
Beyond child care: The new issue also explores disaster recovery, SNAP updates and infrastructure investments.
As National Preparedness Month wraps up, don't miss a just-released case studies series from NACo on how counties are teaming up with federal and state partners to strengthen preparedness, response and recovery. The case studies feature:
Jefferson Parish, La.: The parish modernized the electrical grid using public and private funding to ensure infrastructure can withstand hurricanes and tropical storms.
Lake County, Calif.: The county collaborated with local, state and federal partners to prepare for wildfires, build capacity and foster a culture of readiness.
Rogers County, Okla.: Rogers County expanded disaster mitigation policies and invested in a public storm shelter network to reduce tornado and severe storm risks.
County participation toolkit: Even after September, counties can use NACo’s 2025 National Preparedness Month toolkit for practical resources, guidance and strategies to strengthen local disaster readiness.
September is also Recovery Month, a time to celebrate the strength and resilience of individuals and communities affected by substance use disorder. Counties play a critical role in expanding access to treatment and recovery supports.
How to participate: Post on social media and spread the word using this toolkit as a guide.
Stories from the ground:Hear from Marlene Collick, a NACo Opioid Solutions Leadership Network member, on how Genesee County, Mich., is supporting recovery.
Investing opioid settlement funds: Explore data, strategies and stories in using settlement funds to save lives at NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center.
With rising costs, less federal support and growing local responsibilities, counties need new tools to stretch every dollar. NACo partner three+one offers a tool designed to help governments meet the moment.
The challenge: Counties are being asked to deliver more with fewer outside resources.
The tool: cashVest® uses cash flow analysis to identify opportunities and unlock hidden value.
Bottom line: Smarter fiscal management builds resilience and positions counties for long-term stability. Read more from three+one: When the Rules Change, Strategy Matters More Than Ever
