NCACC Strategic Member Services

Our goal is to offer a variety of assistance to counties, including building a pipeline of future county government professionals and enhancing the career bridge between key North Carolina graduate programs and county governments.

Funds directed to county governments through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) offer enormous opportunity for county leaders to address challenges unique to their communities and potentially undertake significant capital projects. Additionally, proceeds from the national opioid settlement have enabled counties to help lead the way in recovering from the opioid epidemic on the front lines.

While these funds represent an opportune moment to meet needs and provide services, a complex set of federal and state guidelines accompany the funds along with extensive reporting requirements.

The Association is building internal capacity and expertise to help counties respond to the heightened load of administrative duties through a new service arm, NCACC Strategic Member Services.

SMS will strive to assist counties in the areas of:

  • Strategic planning and collaborative conversations

    A special team of professionals with county management or finance experience is available to facilitate discussions with county staff and boards of county commissioners to set direction and goals for county services.

  • Federal compliance standards and eligible projects

    NCACC staff with targeted knowledge of ARPA guidelines and federal Uniform Guidance provisions can provide expertise and guidance to counties in multiple areas and help meet the requirements of the opioid settlement MOA.

  • Project management, grant management, subrecipient monitoring and oversight, expenditure reporting, community outreach, and communications

    Operating at the heart of NCACC Strategic Member Services is a cohort of Strategic Project Coordinators. Master’s level graduates in the fields of public administration (or affairs), finance, public health, and/or accounting will help counties meet the requirements associated with ARPA or opioid settlement funding related projects.

    The Strategic Project Coordinators, with the support of the NCACC team, will enjoy the benefit of sharing experiences and lessons through peer-based learning and professional development programs developed by the Association.

Meet the SMS Management Team