Read more about the article Opioid-Related Legislation That Went Into Effect July 1
County News / Health and Human Services / News You Can Use
Opioid-Related Legislation That Went Into Effect July 1

Maryland’s fight against the opioid crisis continues with several new laws now in effect, shaping how resources are used and programs are delivered. MACo carefully reviewed each proposal to assess the effects on counties, which play a central role in local response, recovery, and prevention efforts. The Department of Legislative Services published a 96-page document sharing legislation that passed during the 2025 legislative session that took effect on July 1, 2025. During the 2025 legislative…

Comments Off on Opioid-Related Legislation That Went Into Effect July 1
July 2, 2025
Read more about the article The DEI Divide: Navigating Public Service in an Increasingly Divisive World
Courts / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference
The DEI Divide: Navigating Public Service in an Increasingly Divisive World

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professionals and policies have been the subject of recent court challenges and executive orders. In some cases the existence of a DEI program or policy has been cited as potential cause for repealing federal, state, and local funding. These potential roll backs of policies and practices come at a time when ideology driven attacks on government officials have been increasing, some even sparking new legislation in Maryland to extend protections…

Comments Off on The DEI Divide: Navigating Public Service in an Increasingly Divisive World
July 1, 2025
Read more about the article Federal Funding for Senior Workforce Training and Wages in Jeopardy
Health and Human Services / Labor / Summer Conference
Federal Funding for Senior Workforce Training and Wages in Jeopardy

Federal budget cuts could have an impact on State and local programs that fund workforce training and wages for unemployed, low-income seniors in Maryland.  A federal program that funds workforce training and wages for older, resource-scare residents might be shutting down due to federal budget cuts. According to reports in a number of other states, the US Department of Labor has put state and local funding recipients on notice that funding for the programs would…

Comments Off on Federal Funding for Senior Workforce Training and Wages in Jeopardy
July 1, 2025
Read more about the article Leading Through Limits: Protecting Public Health at #MACoCon
County News / Health and Human Services / Summer Conference
Leading Through Limits: Protecting Public Health at #MACoCon

As funding dwindles and public expectations remain high, health officials are being asked to meet evolving community needs with shrinking resources.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary federal funding allowed local health departments to expand their workforce, invest in digital infrastructure, and respond swiftly to community needs. But as those dollars phase out, counties are left to sustain expanded services with limited and uncertain resources. At the same time, recent state budget decisions are shifting more…

Comments Off on Leading Through Limits: Protecting Public Health at #MACoCon
June 30, 2025
Read more about the article On the Front Lines of Food Safety: Why Local Inspections Matter
Health and Human Services / Summer Conference
On the Front Lines of Food Safety: Why Local Inspections Matter

MACo's 2025 Summer Conference is coming up August 13-16, 2025. The theme is "Funding the Future: The Evolving Role of Local Government," where counties will explore the challenges of the current fiscal climate. There is something for everyone at this event - from PFAS to food safety to cyberattacks and everything in between! Public health and food safety are some of the most critical services county governments provide. With federal support for such programs being…

Comments Off on On the Front Lines of Food Safety: Why Local Inspections Matter
June 30, 2025
Read more about the article AHORA Means “Now,” And It’s Making a Big Difference in Frederick
County News / Health and Human Services
AHORA Means “Now,” And It’s Making a Big Difference in Frederick

Frederick County's innovative AHORA Stroke Smart Campaign has earned two national awards: a NACo Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties and a Crown Communities Award from American City & County. The awards recognize the campaign for taking a culturally relevant approach to a public health issue. From the county press release: "We are incredibly proud of the AHORA campaign and the positive impact it has had on our community," County Executive Jessica Fitzwater…

Comments Off on AHORA Means “Now,” And It’s Making a Big Difference in Frederick
June 26, 2025
Read more about the article Social Security’s Trust Fund Faces Early Depletion
Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues
Social Security’s Trust Fund Faces Early Depletion

A new federal report indicates that the Social Security trust fund, which helps pay benefits for millions, will be depleted by 2033. According to an article from NPR, the Social Security trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2033. At that point, payroll taxes would only cover about 77% of promised retirement benefits, leading to automatic cuts unless there is an act by Congress. The accelerated timeline is due to increased benefits for public…

Comments Off on Social Security’s Trust Fund Faces Early Depletion
June 19, 2025
Read more about the article Montgomery Grant Program To Help +8K Households Access Food Assistance
County News / Health and Human Services / News You Can Use
Montgomery Grant Program To Help +8K Households Access Food Assistance

The Montgomery County Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR), in partnership with the Office of Grants Management (OGM), has awarded a total of $304,000 to six organizations through the FY25 Nutrition Benefits Outreach Grant Program (NBO)  The funding supports innovative strategies to help connect local families with essential nutrition benefits. These efforts specifically focus on reaching households that qualify for, but are not currently enrolled in, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal or state nutrition assistance…

Comments Off on Montgomery Grant Program To Help +8K Households Access Food Assistance
June 19, 2025
Newer Posts
Older Posts