About Us
The National Association of Counties Research Foundation
The National Association of Counties Research Foundation (NACoRF) is a non-profit organization recognized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service as a 501c3 public charity providing education, technical assistance and research to counties. NACoRF’s mission is to ascertain, develop and distribute knowledge about county governments and training of public officials, prospective public officials, and other interested parties.
Our Partnership
NACoRF is a proud partner of The National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers (NCIT). Funded through the Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI), NCIT brings together national partners, early childhood leaders, philanthropy, policymakers and practitioners from inside and outside of state and local government to create and strengthen promising policies and programs — and share what works — so that more states and communities can support the healthy development of our youngest children.
The County's Role in Early Childhood
Neuroscience shows that the most rapid period of brain development occurs within the first three years of life - more than at any other point - laying the foundation for all future learning, behavior and health. By investing in young children early, counties have an opportunity to deliver high-quality services with higher returns and reduce the need for more expensive interventions later. Counties not only play a pivotal role in building thriving communities for an estimated 16 million children ages birth to three across the United States, but they also invest in core policies and services that help to shape early childhood systems.