AAC staff profile: Riley Groover

WORKERS COMP CLAIMS ANALYST — RILEY GROOVER

Family information: My family consists of my fiancée Brooke and my loveable little bundle of joy, Baxter, who is a Terrier mix that I adopted three years ago.

My favorite meal: My mother’s Poppy Seed Chicken.

When I’m not working I’m: Trying to find an Arkansas lake or river to put my kayak in and go fishing.

The accomplishment of which I am

most proud: Finding a significant other who is willing to put up with me for the rest of her life.

The hardest thing I have ever Riley Groover done: Pulling a U-Haul and moving half way across the country. Twice.

At the top of my bucket list is to: Visit all 50 states and all seven continents. So far I’ve been to 29 states but have never left the U.S. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.

You might be surprised to learn that:

I worked one summer as a stage hand. I helped put on shows for Lynyrd Skynyrd, Little Big Town and other artists.

My pet peeve is: People who don’t pick up after their dogs. It’s just wrong.

Motto or favorite quote: “I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar.” — Wash from Firefly

How long have you been at AAC? Two months.

What do you like most about your position at

AAC? The people and the atmosphere. Everyone here has just been so warm and welcoming.

www.naco.org

About NACo – The Voice of America’s Counties

National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the U.S. NACo provides essential services to the nation’s 3,068 counties. NACo advances issues with a unified voice before the federal government, improves the public’s understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions through education and research and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money.

New campaign will focus on keeping mentally ill out of jail

By Charlie Ban NACo will partner with the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Foundation to lead Stepping Up: A National Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails. The initiative kicked off May 5. “Counties are working to reduce the number of people with behavioral health and substance abuse needs in jails across the country,” said NACo Executive Director Matt Chase. “This cutting-edge initiative will help counties focus on results and take their efforts to the next level. It will support action-oriented, comprehensive strategies to provide needed services in appropriate settings.” The prevalence of mental illness in jails is now three-to-six times higher than in the general population. Currently, people with mental illnesses number more than 2 million in jails. And counties are spending more for mental health services in jails and getting worse results than communitybased programs. Lack of appropriate care means longer jail stays, higher bills for counties and a higher likelihood of recidivism. The initiative will convene representatives from organizations involved in the issue, including county sheriffs, judges, jail administrators, treatment providers, and mental health and substance abuse counselors. Stepping Up’s “call to action” will involve counties passing resolutions committing to the following: • assembling a diverse group of leaders from involved agencies • assessing needs based on the prevalence of inmates with mental illness in a county’s jail • examining service capacity and policy, and funding barriers to adding to that capacity • developing a plan to get those services to more people who need them

• implementing research-based approaches that advance the plans • and developing program evaluation processes. A national summit, planned for Spring 2016 in Washington, D.C., will gather counties that have signed the call to action and consist of activities to help advance their plans. Attendees will form the core group of counties that will lead others in the effort. Techniques to accomplish this goal, will include law enforcement training, changing funding mechanisms for mental and behavioral health, and increased collaboration between state and local leaders, all adding up to systemic changes in the approach the criminal justice system takes in interacting with people with mental illness.

NACo releases report on county energy savings and emissions reduction

By Coleman Davis NACo has released a new report, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager: Tracking County Energy Savings and Emissions Reductions. The report explores how NACo is helping 97 counties track energy and water consumption for more than 2,079 county-owned buildings using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. It also highlights the benefits counties have seen using the tool, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage. The ENERGY STAR program is a free suite of products from the EPA that since 1992 has helped reduce energy and water demands in residential and commercial buildings. Each year, the program saves more than $9 billion in energy costs, and prevents nearly 135 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. County-owned buildings of all sizes and ages including court houses, office buildings fire stations can benefit from using ENERGY STAR tools. The Portfolio Manager tool is a free online tool that enables counties to track their energy and water consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions. By setting benchmarks, counties can compare current data for one building or an entire suite with past performance, and can also see how their energy and water usage compares to similar buildings throughout the country. To read the report, go to www.naco.org/ newsroom and click on Publications.

Registration is open for NACo’s 80th Annual Conference

NACo’s 80th Annual Conference and Exposition provides an opportunity for all county leaders and staff to learn, network and guide the direction of the association. The Annual Conference, held each July, is hosted by a NACo member county. This year, the conference will be held July 10-13 in Mecklenburg County, (Charlotte) North Carolina. The Annual Conference provides county officials with a great opportunity to vote on NACo’s policies related to federal legislation and regulation; elect officers; network with colleagues; learn about innovative county programs; find out about issues impacting counties across the country; and view products and services from participating companies and exhibitors. Go to www.naco.org and click on the events tab for registration information.

AUDITOR

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The state auditor’s office provides continuing education for several county elected official groups. It also reimburses those county elected officials for expenses related to their continuing education efforts.

Lea said that during her campaign she visited courthouses around the state, gathering ideas and input for ways to improve county outreach. Many complained that they weren’t being reimbursed quickly enough. Once elected, Lea set about improving the process.

“They gave me some suggestions on streamlining, and I took those suggestions and implemented them. Several of the [county] clerks, especially, and the treasurers and collectors have contacted me and said, ‘Wow you took those to heart, and we’re seeing a difference.’ That made me happy,” Lea said.

Lea also made it a priority to return unclaimed property to counties. She had her staff go through the unclaimed property records and identify the counties that had unclaimed property owed to them. The search revealed that 63 of Arkansas’ 75 counties had unclaimed property on the books.

Lea said she realized county officials are busy and don’t have the time to search records on the state Auditor’s web site. So her staff filled out claim forms for the 63 counties, and mailed them out for signatures.

“All they had to do was sign it and mail it back. It’s just another way I am trying to connect,” Lea said, noting that 40 of the counties she contacted have returned their forms and received payment.

Lea will be contacting county judges soon regarding Act 592, which came out of the 90th Arkansas General Assembly. The measure no longer requires the auditor’s office to publish in newspapers the names of people with unclaimed property — a list that took up pages of ad-

vertising. Rather, the auditor will now publish a notice in newspapers directing people to the Great Treasure Hunt web site. However, a list of people with unclaimed property also must be posted at every county courthouse in the state. “I need to visit with judges about the easiest way for me to get the information to them. Do they want it on a USB Lea will be contacting county judges soon regarding Act 592, which came out of the 90th General [drive] that they can upload to their web site ... Do they want a hard copy,” Lea said. “And, of Assembly. A list of Arkansans with unclaimed property course, I want to make it easier for must be posted at every courthouse in the state. people who aren’t as computer savvy. Plenty of people go to the courthouse to look through the properties that are being turned over.” And Lea said she has a great appreciation for courthouse culture. “The courthouse culture is just fun,” she said. “It really is the hub of politics in a county. And not just politics but a lot of community stuff. Think about all the reasons people go to the courthouse — to get their marriage licenses, to get any other document … I mean, it really is a fun hub.”

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