CCAPA Support During COVID-19 Emergency
Also see Resource Library for resources specific to conducting planning activities during the COVID-19 public health emergency
A message from CCAPA President Rebecca Augur:
I wanted to reach out to let you know what CCAPA is doing to try to help our members through the COVID-19 emergency and beyond.
We realize that a core component of planners’ every day work is enabling and maintaining public participation, and that we can anticipate substantial disruptions to our usual course of business. CCAPA is taking steps to support its members in adapting our work to disruptions in a responsible and effective manner.
First, we have reached out to the CT Conference of Municipalities (CCM) to coordinate guidance on administering electronic public meetings and managing statutory deadlines for regulatory processes during this state of emergency, whether directed through Executive Order or otherwise. We will keep you apprised as that develops.
Second, we have reached out to APA National for guidance. The Research Division is currently working on materials that should be available early next week on conducting public meetings when physical meetings are not allowed. In the meantime, they have offered the following collection of resources:
The Golden Circle of Online Engagement (APA Learn, 2019)
E-Government (PAS Report 564, 2011)
Using Online Tools for Public Engagement (PAS QuickNotes 51, 2014)
Accelerating Public Engagement: A Roadmap for Local Government (Governing, 2018)
Public Engagement and Technology (Institute for Local Government, 2015)
Digital Engagement, Social Media & Public Participation (International Association for Public Participation—Canada, 2017)
Digital Sustainability Conversations: How Local Governments Can Engage Residents Online (Urban Sustainability Directors Network, 2012)
City Planning Technology, 2019 Benchmarking Study (Planetizen, 2019)
Tools for Civic Engagement (Government Finance Officers Association, 2016)
Third, we are reviewing upcoming programs and the potential for converting in-person trainings to webinars, or postponing events. Follow CCAPA on social media and check our website for the latest information.
Finally, as planners, we see the small and big picture effects that this situation will have on our neighborhoods, communities, and state. CCAPA will continue to monitor state and federal actions for dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19, including the economic disruption it is causing. Again, we will do our best to keep you apprised of any relevant resources.
Please reach out to myself or other members of the Executive Board with any questions or concerns in the coming weeks (or even just to vent the overwhelm that many of us are feeling right now). We, as individuals, might not know the answers, but I know that when our membership puts their collective heads together, our resourcefulness and creativity shines through.
Stay safe!
Rebecca Augur, AICP
President