Look Out for Registration Packages Coming Via UPS
Be on the lookout for registration packages within the next few weeks. All attendees registered by Oct. 14 will receive a package containing conference materials (i.e. name badge, lanyard, conference program, conference giveaway, etc.). Please remember to bring your conference materials to Savannah for the 2021 County Reconnect Conference. Each county will receive one or more packages containing materials for all registered attendee. Your county clerk and/or registrar will contact you once the materials have arrived & to arrange pickup. If your county does not receive a package by Monday, Nov. 8, please email Nicole Logan at nlogan@accg.org. Packages will be addressed to the county clerk and/or county manager/administrator. If you were registered after Oct. 14, please visit ACCG registration in the River Concourse at the Convention Center.
Help Us Honor County Officials We've Lost
Sunday, November 14
8:30 A.M.
Each year during the conference Inspirational Service, ACCG honors county officials such as commissioners, clerks, administrators/managers and attorneys who have passed away within the past year. This year we will also recognize those who passed away due to COVID and will dedicate a special memorial wall in their honor. Please help us honor these individuals by providing us with their name, official title, and the name of the county they served using the online excel file found here. Please submit this information by 5:00 pm. on Monday, November 1.
Visit the Conference Website to Stay Updated!
County officials may now access the official ACCG County Reconnect Conference website for information on hotels, parking, the conference agenda, and more. Visit the conference website at 2021ac.myaccg.com. Be sure to check the website regularly for any updates.
Make Plans to Attend Hot Topics Sessions
Sunday, November 14
9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. / 10:50 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
On Sunday, officials have the opportunity to attend a hot topic session of their choice. Four concurrent sessions will be offered during two different time blocks, and officials will choose one session to attend during each timeframe. A brief description of each session can be found below.
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The ABCs of ARPA: How Georgia Counties are Using American Rescue Plan Act Funds The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has infused billions of dollars into state and local government. During this session, ACCG will highlight the ways in which Georgia counties are using these funds, discuss innovative approaches for community improvements (especially in underserved and economically challenged areas), review lost revenue recovery calculation tools and facilitate a question and answer session about eligible uses of these funds.
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A Closer Look at Mobile Crisis Intervention Units Several counties in Georgia have developed programs to divert those with mental health problems to an appropriate treatment facility instead of the jail. In cooperation with law enforcement, the courts and public health officials, these programs reduce jail expenses and provide a more efficient use of public safety personnel. This class will include presentations from law enforcement officers describing the structure and operation of mobile crisis intervention units.
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Making Broadband a Reality for Your County: DCA Broadband Rollout, Funding and Best Practices for Digital Success Over the last year access to reliable, affordable broadband has become even more critical as people grappled with the reliance on broadband during the pandemic. This session will explore the State of Georgia’s investment in broadband deployment from the creation of the Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative, Georgia’s Broadband Ready designation, federal and state funding opportunities available to support broadband expansion, and recommendations for how to create effective community partnerships to leverage those funds. Best practices from counties that have made it happen and provider partners will be shared, along with the opportunity for discussion on how to begin the process in your county.
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Why should Cyber Security be a Top Priority for your County? With the increased occurrence and cost of cyberattacks on local governments, it is more important than ever for county leaders to prioritize cybersecurity solutions to protect their critical systems. In this session, leaders will be encouraged to work together with their IT department and cybersecurity experts to execute a successful cybersecurity plan to protect against risks such as ransomware attacks, data breaches, and social engineering schemes. With the proper security precautions, policies and procedures, and training, such risks can be greatly reduced. Leaders will also be alerted to the value of an effective incident response plan, which helps counties better respond to a cyber incident in the event one occurs.
More details about each session and the guest speakers can be found here on the conference website.
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