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Strategy 3: Engage Effectively with Community <br /> ,.,,,1 ,,,, <br /> , ..„ <br /> ,..,„:„ 1 Stakeholders <br /> Community engagement is an integral part of the way public agencies make and implement policies <br /> in our region. The Growing Transit Communities Partnership and the Equity Network have taken <br /> 3 important steps to explore and apply innovative community engagement strategies to improve and <br /> expand those practices to more effectively include historically underrepresented populations, <br /> including low-income households and persons of color, in the planning process. This work has <br /> identified a toolbox of innovative and effective techniques that include: <br /> • Multilingual outreach and engagement <br /> • Outreach through existing community groups and organizations <br /> • Direct person-to-person outreach where people live and do business <br /> • Support for meeting participation,such as childcare,refreshments,and convenient scheduling and locations <br /> • Clarity of communications on scope and focus of engagement,expectations and process <br /> • Visualization tools and other multi-media approaches <br /> • Innovative models for effective engagement and long-term relationship building, such as trusted advocate and <br /> public outreach liaisons <br /> • Building capacity within organizations, such as through training and recruitment, in order to engage effectively with <br /> diverse constituencies <br /> Successful implementation of the GTC Strategy will depend on effective engagement with as broad a range of community <br /> members and stakeholders as possible. <br /> Puget Sound Regional Council <br /> 3.1 Present the work of the Growing Transit Communities Partnership to both regional stakeholders and the public in <br /> a manner that is clear, concise, and free of excessive jargon. Emphasize major goals, actions, and benefits to <br /> the region and local communities. <br /> 0 3.2 Collaborate with a broad range of regional and community stakeholders to develop and disseminate guidance <br /> 0and provide technical support on best practices in equitable community engagement, incorporating lessons <br /> ;, learned from the Growing Transit Communities Equity Grants Program. <br /> a3.3 Continue to develop and apply equitable community engagement strategies as part of regional policy <br /> development and implementation activities, including future updates to the PSRC public participation plan. <br /> oj3.4 Explore and improve methods for direct citizen engagement in regional policy and planning processes, such as <br /> 'a community advisory boards,working groups,focus groups,and roundtables. <br /> C <br /> gTransit Agencies <br /> 3.5 Continue to develop and apply equitable community engagement strategies as part of capital investment and <br /> G service planning. <br /> cu Local Governments <br /> 12 3.6 Continue to develop and apply equitable community engagement strategies as part of local comprehensive and <br /> station area planning and other decision making affecting transit communities. <br /> Equity Network <br /> 3.7 Collaborate with the PSRC and other agencies on a regional guidance document and toolbox for equitable <br /> community engagement. <br /> Priority Transit Communities for this Strategy <br /> • The need for effective and complete community and stakeholder engagement applies across the region, especially in <br /> transit communities with concentrations of low-income households, persons of color, or other historically <br /> underrepresented groups. <br /> 28 <br /> The Growing Transit Communities Strategy I Public Review Draft I May 2013 <br />