Citizen Academy

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

In 2015, Clackamas County Commissioners and County Administration approved the formation of a Citizen Academy to encourage citizens in the community to learn more about the myriad of programs and services offered by their local county government; foster participation and encourage volunteerism; promote community understanding and education; and provide a means for citizens to give input on specific services and how they could be improved. The Academy would also provide an opportunity for department staff to explain what they do for the county and clarify issues surrounding budgeting, ordinances, staffing and more that commonly arise from the public. The Clackamas County Citizen Academy concept was researched by a cohort of county employees participating in an internal program called the Leadership Academy – a group of employees selected annually to participate in a year-long leadership training which culminates with a special project that fills in service-delivery gaps. The Citizen Academy was created to augment the county’s citizen involvement program.