National Association of Counties

National Association of Counties. The National Association of Counties is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of county governments in the United States. It was founded in 1935 by a group of county officials from across the country, including California, New York, and Texas, with the goal of providing a unified voice for county governments in Washington, D.C.. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a membership of over 1,800 county governments, including Los Angeles County, New York County, and Harris County.

● History

The National Association of Counties was established in 1935 by a group of county officials from across the country, including Roosevelt Administration officials, United States Department of Agriculture representatives, and National Governors Association members. The organization's early years were marked by a focus on rural development and agricultural policy, with partnerships with organizations such as the Farm Bureau and the National Grange. During World War II, the National Association of Counties played a key role in supporting the war effort, working closely with the United States Department of War and the Office of Price Administration. In the 1960s and 1970s, the organization became increasingly involved in issues related to urban planning and social welfare policy, partnering with organizations such as the Urban League and the National Association of Social Workers.

● Organization

The National Association of Counties is a nonprofit organization that is governed by a board of directors composed of county officials from across the country, including county commissioners from Colorado, county supervisors from California, and county executives from New York. The organization has a staff of over 100 employees, including policy analysts from Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley, communications specialists from University of Texas at Austin and University of Michigan, and program managers from University of Washington and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a network of regional offices across the country, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City.

● Membership

The National Association of Counties has a membership of over 1,800 county governments from across the United States, including urban counties such as Cook County and Los Angeles County, and rural counties such as Rural County and Perry County. Member counties are represented by a variety of elected officials, including county commissioners from Georgia, county supervisors from Arizona, and county executives from Maryland. The organization also has a number of affiliate members, including state associations of counties such as the California State Association of Counties and the New York State Association of Counties, and national organizations such as the National League of Cities and the United States Conference of Mayors.

● Policy Priorities

The National Association of Counties has a number of policy priorities, including health care reform, infrastructure development, and public safety policy. The organization has been a strong advocate for Medicaid expansion and has worked closely with organizations such as the American Hospital Association and the National Association of Community Health Centers. The organization has also been a leading voice on issues related to transportation policy, partnering with organizations such as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the Federal Highway Administration. In addition, the organization has been a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, working with organizations such as the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

● Programs_and_Services

The National Association of Counties offers a number of programs and services to its member counties, including policy analysis and research from University of Chicago and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, technical assistance from University of California, Los Angeles and University of Wisconsin–Madison, and training and education from Harvard University and Stanford University. The organization also hosts a number of conferences and events throughout the year, including the National Association of Counties Annual Conference and the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference, which feature speakers from White House, United States Congress, and United States Department of Justice. In addition, the organization offers a number of awards and recognition programs, including the National Association of Counties Achievement Awards and the National Association of Counties County Leadership Awards, which recognize excellence in county government.

● Leadership_and_Governance

The National Association of Counties is led by a president who is elected by the organization's board of directors, which includes county officials from Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona. The organization's president serves a one-year term and is responsible for setting the organization's policy agenda and representing the organization in Washington, D.C.. The organization's board of directors is composed of county officials from across the country, including county commissioners from Florida, county supervisors from Illinois, and county executives from Ohio. The organization also has a number of committees and task forces that focus on specific issues, such as health care policy and transportation policy, which include representatives from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Federal Transit Administration, and United States Department of Transportation.