Engagement toolbox
A reference guide to engagement methods matched to the Public Engagement Spectrum. Not a checklist — select methods that match the level, communities, and resources available.
Updated August 28, 2026 at 1:59 PM PDT
Equity principles for all tools
| Principle | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Compensate participation | Stipends, childcare reimbursement, and food lower barriers and signal respect. Build compensation into the engagement plan. |
| Never rely on one channel | No single tool reaches all communities. Combine in-person and digital, English and non-English, formal and informal settings. |
| Meet people where they are | Go to the places, times, and formats that work for the community, not the other way around. |
| Use trusted partners | CBOs, promotores, and neighborhood leaders can reach communities the county cannot. Compensate them fairly. |
| Close the loop, always | Every tool that collects input creates an obligation to report back through the same channels used for outreach. |
Resources key: Low = minimal staff time and budget. Med = planned staff time, some budget. High = dedicated staff capacity, significant budget and coordination.
Inform tools
| Tool | Best used when | Accessibility notes | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press release / media advisory | Announcing decisions or meetings; high-interest topics | Translate for Spanish-language outlets; distribute to community radio | Low |
| Project landing page | Any project requiring ongoing communication | WCAG 2.1 compliance required; translate key content; include non-digital contact option | Low-Med |
| Email newsletter | Maintaining contact with previously engaged community members | Offer plain-text version; translate for multilingual lists | Low |
| Social media | Reaching broader or younger audiences; time-sensitive updates | Alt text on all images; plain language; vary platforms by audience | Low |
| Fact sheet / FAQ | Introducing a new project; addressing common questions | Translate; 6th grade reading level or below; offer large print | Low |
| Public / legal notice | Brown Act or CEQA requirements; Board actions | Check language access requirements; post at community locations | Low |
| Direct mailer / door hanger | Reaching residents without internet; localized geographic impact | Translate for high-LEP neighborhoods; include QR code and phone number | Med |
| Informational signage | Construction or capital projects | Bilingual text where applicable; QR code and phone number | Low |
Consult tools
| Tool | Best used when | Accessibility notes | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online survey | Gathering broad input on options | Always offer a paper or phone alternative; translate; keep under 10 minutes | Low-Med |
| Paper / comment card | Reaching residents without digital access; tabling events | Translate; plain language; provide pens and secure collection box | Low |
| Open house | Projects with spatial or visual components | ADA-accessible community locations; multilingual staff; varied times | Med |
| Listening session | Early in a process before options are defined | Accessible locations; interpretation; anonymous comment option | Med |
| Office hours / drop-in | Individuals uncomfortable in group settings | Offer virtual option; publicize through trusted partner networks | Low |
| Phone hotline / comment line | Reaching residents without internet | Bilingual or interpretation staffing; document all input received | Med |
| Virtual Q&A / webinar | Reaching residents who can't attend in person | Live captioning; language interpretation; record and post; contact IST Broadcast early | Med |
Involve tools
| Tool | Best used when | Accessibility notes | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | Developing or refining alternatives | Childcare and stipends where possible; multiple sessions at varied times and locations | Med-High |
| Design charrette | Complex land use or infrastructure projects | Multiple entry points; interpret throughout; recruit from all affected neighborhoods | High |
| Focus group | Deep qualitative insight from a specific population | Compensate participants; community-trusted locations; culturally fluent facilitators | Med |
| Pop-up / tabling | Reaching people where they already are | Attend events hosted by and for the communities you're trying to reach; bilingual staff | Med |
| Door-to-door outreach | High-impact projects in specific geographic areas | Partner with CBOs or promotores; conduct in community's primary languages | High |
| Multilingual community meeting | Projects affecting LEP populations | Simultaneous or consecutive interpretation; translate materials in advance | Med-High |
Collaborate and Empower tools
| Tool | Best used when | Accessibility notes | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community advisory committee | Long-term projects requiring sustained input | Contact the Clerk of the Board before forming. Compensate participants. Recruit from most-affected communities. | High |
| Stakeholder working group | Policy or program development with clear deliverables | Balance technical experts with community members with lived experience; define decision-making authority upfront | High |
| Co-design session | Program or service design where community experience should shape the product | Center most-affected communities; provide stipends; build relationship time before co-design begins | High |
| Community ambassador / promotor program | Reaching communities that don't engage with county government directly | Compensate ambassadors fairly; provide training and ongoing support | Med-High |
| Participatory budgeting | Defined budget and scope available for community decision-making; executive support confirmed | Lower the voting age when appropriate; multiple voting options; partner with CBOs | High |
| Community-led grant allocation | Grant programs intended to serve specific communities; equity is an explicit goal | Capacity-building for smaller applicants; technical assistance in primary languages | High |