Voices in Local Government

TopicsFEMA Individual Assistance.FEMA Public Assistance.Cost and reimbursement and documentation.Assign someone on staff as the point to understand FEMA reporting requirements and ensure compliance.Categories of reimbursement and cost share between Federal, state, and local.Policies for overtime pay.The importance of not going it alone.How to take care of yourself and staff.ResourcesICMA Hurricane Response ResourcesFederal Disaster Assistance Leadership Before, During, and After a Crisis

Guest InformationMark Zeigler, Senior Lecturer and Director of First-Year Experience Programs, Florida State UniversityDesiree Casanova, Assistant to the County Administrator, Sarasota Florida Resources from ICMA Learning LabSelf-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the MediaFree On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public Communications

Guest InformationMark Zeigler, Senior Lecturer and Director of First-Year Experience Programs, Florida State UniversityDesiree Casanova, Assistant to the County Administrator, Sarasota Florida TakeawaysEffective communication requires understanding the past, present, and future of interactions.Empathy is crucial in communication, especially in local government settings.Nonverbal communication can account for a significant portion of the message conveyed.Follow-up communication is essential to show that you value the conversation.Personalized responses can significantly improve public trust in government.Active listening involves not just hearing but understanding the speaker's message.Tailoring communication styles to the audience can enhance understanding and cooperation.Silence can be detrimental; addressing issues directly is important.Building trust takes time and requires consistent, genuine interactions.Stories can be powerful tools to connect with skeptical audiences. ChaptersIntroduction to Effective CommunicationPhilosophical Foundations of CommunicationUnderstanding Roles in CommunicationEmpathy and Active ListeningNonverbal Communication TechniquesThe Power of Follow-Up CommunicationPersonalized Responses in Local GovernmentTailoring Communication StylesResources from ICMA Learning LabSelf-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the MediaFree On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public Communications

Guest InformationDave O’Reilly, CivicPlus Chief Operating OfficerMike Paciello, AudioEye Chief Accessibility OfficerTakeawaysThe Department of Justice has issued a final ruling on website accessibility, requiring compliance with specific timeframes based on population size and tax income.Local governments need to establish a clear compliance plan, conduct an audit of their digital presence, and prioritize fixing frequently accessed pages.Residents with disabilities should be involved in the feedback process to ensure their needs are met.Building core competency within the organization and vetting vendors with deep domain expertise is crucial for successful implementation.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:44 Compliance Deadlines08:20 The Role of Feedback and Resident Engagement18:49 The Urgency of Compliance22:16 Challenges and Vendor Selection27:43 Ensuring Compliance and Building Competency31:03 Conclusion Resources7 Steps to Meeting the DOJ's New Web Accessibility Ruling