During a recent visit to Washington, D.C., representatives from the National Association of Counties (NACo) Large Urban Counties Caucus and Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing emphasized the importance of intergovernmental partnerships in addressing critical issues such as housing affordability and mental health. They discussed county priorities and shared best practice recommendations with federal agencies and on Capitol Hill.
NACo President Mary Jo McGuire highlighted the critical role of counties in addressing national crises and stressed the need for strengthened intergovernmental partnerships to achieve shared goals. As frontline leaders, counties have firsthand experience with the impacts of federal policies on their communities and residents.
The Large Urban County Caucus, led by Milwaukee County, Wis. Executive David Crowley, consists of counties with populations over 500,000. They are focused on forming partnerships to enhance housing affordability, identifying effective strategies for public-private collaborations, overcoming implementation barriers, and exploring various financing options. The group will visit Terwilliger Place, a housing development in Arlington County, Va., to gain insights into successful community-driven initiatives that address affordable housing challenges.
The Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, co-chaired by King County, Wash. Executive Dow Constantine and Los Angeles County, Calif. Supervisor Kathryn Barger, is advocating for policy priorities such as the reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act. This act was the largest congressional investment in overdose prevention but expired in September 2023. The group will engage in discussions with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Medicare
