Public Affairs

Strategic Communications Division (SCD) strives to achieve effective two-way communication and involvement between the County and citizens. SCD is also responsible for internal communications with County employees.

The outreach program to citizens include:

• Citizen Involvement
• publication of the County's newsletter (Citizen News) with a countywide distribution of 160,000;
• electronic publication of the County's internal newsletter (Insights) for employees with a distribution of nearly 2,000;
• development and updating of a research-based Strategic Communications Plan;
• preparation and distribution of 300 media releases a year,
• responses to public requests for information;
• organization of regular outreach efforts between the County Commissioners and community leaders.

SCD also coordinates the activities of the Committee for Citizen Involvement, serves as liaison to the County's 43 Community Planning Organizations and administers the recruitment of citizens to serve on more than 70 boards and commissions that advise the Board of Commissioners on specific matters.

SCD selects or customizes appropriate communication tools to convey the information and consults with other departments on communication strategies and tools.

SCD provides content review for web development and serves as executive producer for County cable programs.

SCD also serves as the County's media spokesperson for decisions of the Board of Commissioners and serves jointly with the Sheriff's representative as County Public Information Officer during disasters or emergencies.