Concurrent Educational Sessions
Friday, April 29
Concurrent Sessions: 10:15 a.m. – 11 a.m. / 11:15 a.m. – 12 p.m.
2022 Legislative Highlights and Implementation Impacts for Counties
The Georgia General Assembly addressed many issues during the 2022 legislative session, including several ACCG priorities such as mental health reform and the single county T-SPLOST. They also passed other legislation and included budget items that will have a direct impact on counties. Join the ACCG policy team for a quick wrap up of the 2022 legislative session and an overview of the key takeaways your county needs to know as these new laws are implemented.
The Preliminary Final Legislative Report is available for review. Click here to view it.
Presenters: ACCG Legislative Director Clint Mueller, ACCG Deputy Legislative Director Todd Edwards, ACCG Associate Legislative Director Kathleen Bowen, ACCG Legislative Associate Gabe Carter and ACCG Legislative Associate Eric Lopez.
Innovative Ways to Work with Your County Sheriff to Manage Expenses
Public safety is one of the largest cost areas of a county budget. While working with the sheriff may pose challenges in some communities, there are ways that county officials can work collaboratively with the sheriff to help reduce or offset some of these expenses. ACCG staff will highlight several areas for consideration, including negotiating contracted jail health care services and a driver training program for deputies to help reduce accidents thereby helping to keep insurance rates in check. In addition, learn more about a project through the Georgia Department of Public Health and Georgia Southern University to reimburse jails in Georgia for costs incurred for implementing approved COVID-19 mitigation strategies.
Presenters: ACCG County Consulting Manager Bill Twomey, ACCG Insurance Programs Director Ashley Abercrombie, and Georgia Southern University Director of the Institute for Health Logistics & Analytics Jessica Smith Schwind.
Addressing Behavioral Health Needs Through Collaborative Partnerships, Training & Long-Term Sustainability
Mental health and behavioral health are having greater impacts on our communities, our workforce, healthcare and judicial systems, and in turn, often drain a county’s financial resources. Exacerbated over the last two years due to COVID, behavioral health is increasingly becoming a focus of county operations and community conversations. This session offers one organization’s approach to build a statewide coalition of trauma-informed partnerships by convening diverse private and public partners to build a stronger, more resilient Georgia. With a vision that, “Every child and young adult in Georgia have access to high-quality, integrated behavioral health services and support, empowered by a statewide network of trauma-informed organizations working together to prevent and heal childhood adversity,” Resilient Georgia focuses their efforts around communications and awareness, education and training, technology and telehealth services. Resilient Georgia boasts 16 regional coalitions statewide, making strategic investments to ensure that all children and adults have the wrap-around support systems they need. Find out how your county can benefit from the services, trainings and offerings they provide.
Presenter: Emily Ann Vall, Resilient Georgia Executive Director
(NOTE: Additional Speakers may Include: Lizann Roberts, Executive Director, Georgia Indicators Coalition; Justin Callaway, President & CEO, United Way of Coastal Georgia)
Tapping into an Underutilized Workforce to Benefit Counties and People
Like many employers, Georgia counties are struggling to find people to fill jobs. Many times, there are hard-working, capable employees who are ready to go to work if given the opportunity. Marion Curry and Christine Gudgin will share stories about employees who are doing a good job for counties as well as a range of other employers, who happen to be people with disabilities. This sector of the labor force is one that is often overlooked, but it shouldn’t be! Learn how people with disabilities can offer broad set of skills in everything from office tasks to janitorial support, and how you can put them to work in your county.
Presenters: Marion Curry, Georgia Association of People Supporting Employment First Board of Directors and a retired Director of Diversified Enterprises, a Tift County based 501(c)3 committed to providing innovative and person-centered care for individuals with disabilities and Christine Gudgin, Southeast Coordinator for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Division.