Community Engagement

Community Engagement is essential for local and state government agencies aiming to build trust, encourage public participation, and ensure that policies reflect residents’ needs and concerns. Governments can foster stronger connections with their communities through outreach programs, public forums, and collaborative decision-making. This directory offers articles on community engagement and related topics like Community Development, which focuses on improving the overall well-being and sustainability of communities through targeted initiatives.

As you ready yourself and your community for a heat wave, keep these tips in mind
The American flag is considered a living symbol under federal law. We must treat it as such.
Grant funding empowers local governments to create and sustain age-friendly communities
Some governors have suggested they would consider moving to an all-mail voting system for the November general election
At a study session this week, Abilene City Manager Jane Folz explained how city employees are safely returning to work, and how budget shortfalls are being managed
Communications from public safety agencies can be a source of reassurance during this perilous time
“As far as time-outs go, none are more important to our fans than this one.”
Industry association websites, webinars and resources offer training, procedures and advocacy for elected officials and municipal employees
Many people already can, and more people could easily be allowed to, vote before Election Day, or even vote from home
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has said that if he had the authority to move the election date, he would, citing the unprecedented challenges to fair and safe voting
Police are arresting and citing business owners for violating orders shuttering all nonessential businesses
The money could be used for a variety of measures intended to make voting safer during the outbreak, including expanding mail-in voting.
As the medical community adjusts to keep up with the pace of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals are receiving PPE donations from surprising places
All field operations are suspended through early April, but responses can still be submitted online.
Many 211 centers are now working with state and local health officials to provide vital COVID-19 information to the public
Officials in Arizona, Florida and Illinois felt they had done enough to ensure the safety of voters, even as concerns mounted that there will not be enough poll workers in some precincts.
Because of the new health threat, training for census recruits includes advice about hand washing, using sanitizer and other strategies recommended by health officials.
Effective crisis communication strategies share these common features.
Moving the polling places may be the right public health move, but it creates challenges for election administrators.