Apply Today! Supporting Families Impacted by Substance Use Peer Exchange 

Applications are now open for a NACoRF peer exchange in Union County, New Jersey, this September 23-25, focused on supporting families impacted by substance use. The event is designed for county leaders seeking to strengthen cross-agency collaboration and improve health and development outcomes for families impacted by substance use disorder. Interdisciplinary county teams of 2-3 individuals (maximum of 3) are encouraged to apply to attend the event and include one elected county official, one appointed county staff focused on substance use disorder policy and one county staff focused on maternal and infant health policy.

Important Dates and Deadlines:

• Open Call for Applications: Monday, June 29, 2026
• Application Deadline: Monday, July 27, 2026
• Announcement of Selected Counties: Monday, August 10, 2026
• Peer Exchange: September 23-25, 2026

2026 NACo Annual Conference & Exposition  

This year’s NACo Annual Conference will take place July 17–20 in Orleans Parish/New Orleans, La. bringing together county elected and appointed officials from across the country for four days of learning, networking and advocacy. Explore educational forums, workshops, policy steering committee meetings, general sessions and unforgettable New Orleans experiences as county leaders come together to shape the future. Register today to take part in this opportunity to network and gather with elected and appointed officials from the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs.

Travis County Votes “Yes” for Affordable Childcare (case study)

This case study released by Children’s Funding Project details how the county and its partners passed a ballot measure to generate ~$78M annually for early childhood education and out-of-school time. The case study details their campaign, data-backed research and key takeaways.

Emerging Funding Strategies for Supporting Youth and Child Programs (resource)

This resource hub released by Children’s Funding Project spotlights nontax funding sources with high potential to support programs and services for children. Strategies include policy changes or sources of primarily nontax funding for public projects that, traditionally, communities have not directed toward child and youth programs and services. Visit their new webpage and new blog to explore how leaders in several localities are putting these strategies into action.

Early Start Systems Mapping Process (resource)

Start Early Consulting works with state and local leaders to address early childhood policy and program challenges through their Systems Mapping process — bringing cross-sector partners together to identify opportunities across the prenatal-to-five landscape. The Systems Map transforms local data into an interactive dashboard with actionable insights, strengthening coordination and supporting strategic decision-making that drives lasting change. Contact Consulting@StartEarly.org to learn more or join Start Early's mailing list.

American Affordability Tracker (data tool)

This resource released by Urban Institute on April 2, 2026 provides timely data at the state, national and congressional district levels, tracking trends across key areas such as childcare, gas, groceries, rent, health insurance and electricity cost. The tool also features an accompanying solutions brief with new strategies big and small that policymakers at all levels of government can use to reduce costs for families.

Infant and Toddler Child Care Supply Building Strategies: A 2025 Baby Book Extra (resource)

This toolkit by Zero To Three explores how states across the country are addressing infant and toddler childcare demand and supply issues. It includes a menu of activities that states and communities can work with families and providers to solve this problem and provide safe, nurturing spaces for infants and toddlers. View the brief for findings from the Baby Book.

2026 New Practice Lab Parent Survey: New America (blog post)

The New Practice Lab is launching the 2026 Parent Survey, a new, nationally representative survey of parents and primary caregivers. The survey will sample 5,000 parents across the country to learn about care and work arrangement trends for young parents and how best they want to support their children. If you are interested in speaking with New America more about this work, please reach out to npl_work@newamerica.org. (For journalists or members of the media who would like to be among the first to learn when findings are released, please connect with Brett Maney at maney@newamerica.org).

Understanding Child Care in America: Third Way Survey Findings (presentation)

This resource shares findings from a survey of 1,000 adults with children ages five or under from December 2025. The goal of this survey was to gauge parent attitudes toward childcare in America to better support future advocacy efforts. Results were found across five topical areas including providing care, affording care, navigating care and work, the gender divide and employers.