Conversations Reimagined

The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt in every community and have affected every industry in some way. The Council of State Governments has worked to measure the degree of devastation on public health, economy and state finances, the impacts on the health care, education, transportation, agriculture and trade industries and to develop strategies for how states will recover in the coming months and years.

When it came time for CSG members and associates to convene for the annual CSG National Conference, everyone knew it was in the best interest of one another and our partners to cancel our in-person meeting. CSG made the decision to host a virtual national conference but knew the usual format — intensive full days of sessions — would not work in 2020.

From Oct. 26 through Dec. 18, CSG offered more than 50 virtual session covering topics ranging from diversity and inclusion, elections, the impacts of COVID-19 on youth as well as on immigrant communities, mental health impacts in Medicaid, criminal justice and international trade, strengthening legislative oversight, interstate compacts and occupational licensure, telework, healthy states and the future of work.

CSG members, subject matter experts and leaders from across the country came together to present thoughts, analysis and predictions on these important topics. All pre-recorded sessions and accompanying presentations are available on the conference website at web.csg.org/2020 under Past Sessions.

Strengthening the Role of Legislative Oversight

One important thing to understand is that as a legisture, your phone calls and your emails get returned. Simply asking questions, even if you don't know the answers, can trigger a lot of reactions. When you ask questions, usually the person on the line starts doing research which can trigger reflection, reconsideration and changes. It's important to understand that oversight can have as much impact as legislation."

ELISE BEAN | Director, Washington Office levin center at wayne state university school of law

Language Matters: How Words Shape Our View

Equality ignores our history and it ignores our context. It maintains the status quo. Equity is a full recognition that we all don't come from the same resources, that we all don't have the same opportunities and that opportunities come from things outside of our control. Equity is about disrupting the status quo."

RASHAAD ABDUR-RAHMAN | Executive Advisor | Kentucky Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities

Inclusive COVID-19 Relief: Impacts on Immigrant Communities and State-Level Reponses

Many immigrants avoid support programs they need for fear of citizenship-related consequences. It's important for state and local agencies to expand access to ensure they are meeting the needs of immigrant families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic."

SARA MCTARNAGHAN | Research Associate | Urban Institute's Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center

Utilizing Public Sector Apprenticeships to Improve Employment Outcomes

By hiring apprentices for their potential rather than credentials, the public sector can grow talent from within."

DIANA ELLIOT | Principal Research Associate | Center on Labor, Human Services and Population at the Urban Institute

Innovation Classroom: Counterfeit Medicines and the Importance of Patient Health and Safety During COVID-19

There's a common misconception that either people don't think counterfit medicines exist or, or that they only exist in undeveloped areas of the world. That's not the case — we do see a high prevalence of counterfeit medicines. It is a very present danger."

LEV KUBIAK | Vice President, Chief Security Officer| Pfizer

Challenges for People Leaving Prison and Jail Amid theCOVID-19 Pandemic

Jails and prisons have been hit hard by the pandemic with significant implications for people working and living there. They have faced challenges like proper space to quarantine those infected, transport options within the facility, and finding ways to adopt and expand telehealth supports."

NICOLE JARRETT | Division Director, Corrections and Reentry | CSG Justice Center

Deep Dive: Mental Health Impacts in Medicaid Programs

The concern is that we are anticipating a significant number of people needing direct support for emerging mental health or substance issues as a result of COVID-19. Will we have sufficient capacity to respond to these emerging needs? The safety net that is designed for people going through distress is experiencing financial challenges because of the pandemic."

CHUCK INGOGLIA | President & CEO | National Council for Behavioral Health