What is the course overview?
Developed by EPA Superfund Community Involvement Coordinators (CICs), this course introduces tools and techniques to plan an effective community outreach and involvement program. Through the framework of a Community Involvement Plan (CIP) and communications strategy, participants learn how to develop a proactive approach for meaningfully involving the public through all stages of the Superfund cleanup process.  Participants learn how to use tools in the Superfund Community Involvement Toolkit, such as public meetings, community interviews, and neutral facilitation.

Who should take this course?
This course is recommended for newer CICs, new EPA or EPA-affiliated public involvement staff, and all Superfund staff who wish to be introduced to community involvement tools and techniques. This course is also appropriate for all EPA and EPA-affiliated staff, in any program, who wish to be introduced to community involvement tools and techniques. There are no suggested prerequisites.

What are the course learning objectives?
Participants who complete this course will gain skills on how to:

• Explain current trends in community involvement and public participation in EPA;
• Describe at least five tools for community involvement; differentiate those tools; and select (and modify) appropriate tools for specific community outreach and involvement programs;
• Plan an effective community outreach and involvement program by applying suitable community involvement tools; and
• Explain the purpose and function of a Community Involvement Plan.

What are the logistics?
This one-day course is delivered as short lectures, extensive discussions, and highly interactive group exercises. Using simulated community involvement scenarios, participants design outreach and community involvement strategies and identify appropriate community involvement tools. Recommended course size is 10-30 participants.

This course is taught by a number of seasoned Superfund CICs and based on their experiences of the Superfund program.

Is there available background material?

• Superfund Community Involvement Website - http://www.epa.gov/superfund/community/
• Community Involvement Toolkit - http://www.epa.gov/superfund/community/toolkit.htm
• Community Involvement Handbook - http://www.epa.gov/superfund/community/cag/pdfs/ci_handbook.pdf
• Participants also receive a course manual.

Previous Events (click to view/hide)

Puerto Nuevo, San Juan, PR Event Details   March 3, 2005 - March 3, 2005   Austin, TX Event Details   May 20, 2004 - May 20, 2004   , Event Details   March 28, 1995 - March 28, 1995   , Event Details   June 14, 1994 - June 14, 1994   , Event Details   February 8, 1994 - February 8, 1994   , Event Details   March 23, 1993 - March 23, 1993