Alachua County Commission Chair Mary Alford joined other county officials from across the nation for an invite-only joint convening of the National Association of Counties (NACo).
The event, held in Maricopa County, Arizona, revolved around the Counties for Career Success cohort and Prenatal-to-Three County Leaders Academy. It brought together a diverse group of county leaders to collaborate on solutions for career readiness and economic mobility for families with young children, grounded in the robust role of counties in removing barriers for families and connecting residents to good jobs.
“One of the goals that our commission, in partnership with our local School Board, is striving for is to increase literacy in Alachua County to help improve the lives of young children through various programs,” Alford said. “We know that the sooner children can read, the more likely they are to succeed in the classroom, which can also lead to a decrease in disciplinary issues.”
Founded in 1935, NACo unites millions of county government of employees and elected leaders around the country every year by advocating for county government priorities in federal policymaking, promoting best policies and practices, expanding knowledge networks and skills, and optimizing county and taxpayer resources and cost savings.
The convening featured a series of workshops, discussions and site visits exploring local strategies to increase access to childcare, improve maternal and child health, and create new career pathways in high-demand fields. Highlights included discussions with federal partners and tours of the East Valley Institute of Technology and GateWay Community College, showcasing innovative approaches to grow the early childhood and healthcare workforce.
The Prenatal-to-Three County Leaders Academy is part of the NACo Research Foundation’s Counties for Kids initiative, which supports county leaders committed to making investments in infants, toddlers and their families.
Counties for Career Success is a year-long peer learning cohort designed to leverage the unique position of counties, which operate at the intersection of post-secondary education, workforce development and human services. Both programs incorporate peer-to-peer engagement as a way for counties to exchange best practices.
Learn more about Counties for Kids.
Learn more about Counties for Career Success and the National Association of Counties.
For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or msexton@alachuacounty.us.
