Back-to-School Birth Certificate Pilot Program

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

The Harris County Clerk’s Office (HCCO) successfully executed the Back-to-School Birth Certificate Pilot Program on two consecutive Saturdays in August of 2021 at two central locations in Houston, Texas. The objective of the initiative was to fill a gap in the availability of services by issuing birth certificates on a Saturday to county residents who cannot visit the vital statistics office during regular business hours. The County Clerk issued 303 birth certificates in the eight-hours that the program spanned, smashing the 100 aggregate total achieved at 11 offices in any regular business-day in 2021. Through the success of the Back-to-School Birth Certificate Pilot Program, the Harris County Clerk’s Office established a vehicle that can be used to foster and create conditions to support community development, including enhancing processes and partnerships that strengthen communities. The program improved the public’s view of government and increased awareness of government services. It will now be used at regular intervals,