Read more about the article Public Service Apprenticeships Grow Around the Country
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues / Winter Conference
Public Service Apprenticeships Grow Around the Country

Public service shortages and increased apprenticeship resources have increased local government participation. The United States has a strong tradition of apprenticeships in the trades and service industries. Still, it has lagged behind its European counterparts in applying the workforce development strategy to the public sector. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has changed the American approach to apprenticeships as the public sector struggles to hire and retain talented workers. Increased federal resources, combined with the public sector…

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November 21, 2023
Read more about the article Feds Launch Two New Resources to Help Locals Diversify School Workforce
County News / Education / Feature / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Feds Launch Two New Resources to Help Locals Diversify School Workforce

The U.S. Department of Education is tackling the school staff shortage through increasing educator diversity and helping local school systems diversify. The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has launched two new resources to help America's school systems hire and retain staff and diversify their workforces. Two recent policy resources, a Raise the Bar policy brief and a Public Service Announcement (PSA), underscore the state of America's school staff and offer guidance on how districts can…

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November 15, 2023
Read more about the article New National Resources Will Help Workplaces Become “Recovery-Friendly”
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources / Intergovernmental Relations / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues
New National Resources Will Help Workplaces Become “Recovery-Friendly”

A new national program, resources launch as the feds seek to expand resources for substance use disorder recovery for workplaces. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy on November 8 announced new resources to support substance use disorder "recovery-friendly" workplaces across the country. New resources include a national institute to provide training and resources for employers willing to hire and help people in substance abuse recovery and model legislation to help states create…

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November 15, 2023
Read more about the article Howard Chosen for National Career Readiness Program
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Howard Chosen for National Career Readiness Program

Howard County was chosen to participate in a National Association of Counties program addressing workforce shortages and structural barriers to employment. The National Association of Counties (NACo) has chosen Howard County as one of eight counties nationwide for the launch of its inaugural Counties for Career Success (C4CS) cohort featuring. The eight county teams  have committed to "working collaboratively and streamlining pathways to higher education and employment." NACo's C4CS initiative aims to address national issues, including…

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November 1, 2023
Read more about the article President Biden Issues Executive Order to Establish AI Safeguards
Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Winter Conference
President Biden Issues Executive Order to Establish AI Safeguards

This week, President Biden issued a landmark Executive Order to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is poised to transform the world and how we live, work, and communicate. AI has the potential to create significant opportunities for government transformation, enabling greater efficiency while improving the accuracy and effectiveness of decision-making and service delivery. For county governments, AI can mean streamlined processes,…

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October 31, 2023
Read more about the article As (Another) Shutdown Looms, Maryland Activates Loan Program for Federal Workers
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As (Another) Shutdown Looms, Maryland Activates Loan Program for Federal Workers

With (another) looming threat of a federal government shutdown, the Maryland Board of Public Works activated a program to offer no-interest loans to “essential” federal employees in the state who must report to work without pay. On September 30, Congress passed a 45-day continuing resolution -- a temporary spending bill that allows federal government operations to continue when final appropriations have not been approved by Congress and the President -- to fund the federal government through…

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October 27, 2023
Read more about the article Operation Green Light: Illuminating the Path to Veterans’ Well-Being in MD
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Operation Green Light: Illuminating the Path to Veterans’ Well-Being in MD

In a continued commitment to honor and support our veterans, the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is proud to participate once again in the National Association of Counties' (NACo) Operation Green Light. This annual initiative provides an invaluable opportunity for governments, businesses, organizations, and individuals to delve deeper into military culture, suicide prevention, and veterans' experiences transitioning from military to civilian life. Maryland's participation in the VA/SAMHSA Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members,…

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October 26, 2023
Read more about the article NACo to Congress: Avoid Shutdown, Fund County Priorities
County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
NACo to Congress: Avoid Shutdown, Fund County Priorities

The National Association of Counties (NACo) has sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to prioritize federal investments in crucial local government activities through the fiscal 2024 appropriations process. In addition, NACo urges Congress to finalize fiscal year 2024 appropriations without delay to stave off a potential government shutdown. The letter includes top priorities for counties, including an urgent call to fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), which is…

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October 24, 2023
Read more about the article Baltimore Region Named Federal Tech Hub to Advance AI, BioTech
County News / Economic Development / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Winter Conference
Baltimore Region Named Federal Tech Hub to Advance AI, BioTech

Through the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Biden-Harris administration designated the Baltimore region — which includes Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Carroll, Cecil, and Queen Anne’s counties -- as one of  31 Tech Hubs in regions across the country. The Baltimore Tech Hub consortium, led by the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), and the select group of tech hubs nationwide will be eligible to compete for a piece of…

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October 23, 2023
Read more about the article School Vacancies Remain a Challenge for 2023-2024 School Year
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School Vacancies Remain a Challenge for 2023-2024 School Year

Nationally, 86% of public schools report difficulties hiring teachers, and 83% are having trouble hiring nonteaching staff. New data shows that hiring and retaining teachers and school staff remains a top challenge for public K-12 education nationwide. It is no secret that teachers are leaving the profession at a concerning rate nationwide, and hiring new education staff remains a significant challenge, including in Maryland. Many hoped that the 2023-2024 school year would prove a turning…

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October 17, 2023
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