Long-Term Care Delayed | ARPA Final Rule

February 3, 2022

man helping woman patient eat in hospital room setting

From MRSC

State Puts WA Cares Act on Hold for Now

By Flannary Collins

With new legislation, the WA Cares long-term care insurance program (and the premiums employers were to collect from employees) has been put on hold. This blog looks at the steps local government employers should take at this time. More from MRSC Insight

Pierce County Offers a Model for Distributing Pandemic-Related Assistance Funding

By Leah LaCivita

With just three staff, the Pierce County’s Rental & Utility Assistance Program has distributed $59,100 in overdue rental payments and $14,800 in utility payments to needy households since late 2020. This blog looks at how the program works and what makes it successful. More from MRSC Insight

Treasury Releases Final Rule on American Rescue Plan Fiscal Recovery Funds

By Eric Lowell

Local governments seeking guidance on how to use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) now have an answer in the recently released Final Rule from the U.S. Department of Treasury. More from MRSC Insight

State Seeks Input on Its Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Strategy

By Celeste Gilman

The State of Washington is seeking input from local governments across the state as it works to establish reduction targets for local vehicle miles traveled and other proposed programs in order to meet key climate action targets. More from MRSC Insight

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Upcoming Trainings

Registration for each webinar closes at 5 PM the day before the event. All pre-registered attendees will get access to the recorded webinar a day after the broadcast.

Procurement Series Part 1: Materials, Supplies, and Equipment (Webinar)

February 9, 10 AM – 11 AM

Cost: $35 | Credits: APWA-CAEC

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Making Your Job Easier with MRSC’s Services (Webinar)

February 15, 11 AM – 12 PM

Cost: FREE

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The OPMA – Latest Issues and Case Law Updates (Webinar)

February 17, 10 AM – 11 AM

Cost: $35 | Credits: CML, CLE (pending approval)

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Process Matters: Rethinking Public Engagement in Polarized Times (Webinar)

February 24, 10 AM – 11 AM

Cost: $35 | Credits: CML

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Missed a webinar? On-Demand Webinars are available to view for a fee; credits are available for some.

In Focus

CivicSpark Fellows Program Accepting Applications for Resilience Projects

From September 2022 to August 2023, 20 CivicSpark Fellows will support community resilience projects in communities across Washington State. Local governments may apply here for assistance. Attend a webinar on February 17 or contact Mackenzie Bolger for more information.

10 Ways Local Governments are Using Census Data

The decennial census and other Census Bureau surveys provide critical information needed to make informed decisions and policies. More from National League of Cities

In 2022, Public Employers Face Hiring Challenges, Opportunity

Given the shifting economic landscape, the Mission Square Research Group recently released a series of recommendations to help local governments “manage and support their current workforce while positioning themselves to attract new, key talent” in the coming year. More from American City & County

Building a Sustainable Behavioral Health Crisis Continuum

Recent interest in many communities, coupled with new policy actions and federal resources, offer the potential to expand access to evidence based treatment, including building behavioral health services that represent a crisis service continuum. More from Brookings

2022 Brings Hope for State and Local Broadband Progress

While states and localities still have a long way to go toward getting everyone access to high-speed Internet, efforts at all levels of government, and especially federal funding, promise positive progress. More from Governing

NOAA Releases New Mapping Tool to Identify County Susceptibility to Climate and Weather Hazards

A new FEMA tool provides detailed information to counties on their susceptibility to weather and climate hazards such as wildfires, floods, drought and heat waves, tornado outbreaks and hurricanes. More from NACo