OMB Input Request for Public Participation and Community Engagement Best Practices; Due 5/17

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is soliciting input from the public on best practices for public participation and community engagement (PPCE) activities, aiming to make government interactions more inclusive, transparent, and accountable. Americans are encouraged to share their experiences, suggest content for a federal framework, propose ways to improve the process, and provide feedback through public comments, online forms, or attending virtual listening sessions by May 17th. The initiative seeks to enhance government consultations with the public to inform policies, regulations, and services, addressing concerns about accessibility and stakeholder engagement. NCDD is working on generating a response and we will follow up with our network in the near future. Learn more in the post below and on GSA's site here.

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OMB's RFI for best practices for Public Participation

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) opens Request for Information for public participation and community engagement (PPCE) best practices. Due by May 17th.

Calling All Americans! 
The Federal Government is committed to making it easier for the public to engage with their Government, and to harnessing their knowledge, needs, and lived experiences to improve how Government works for them and with them. Share your ideas to help us build a more inclusive, responsive, transparent, and accountable Government.

The Federal Government is seeking your input on...

Experiences

• What is the Federal Government doing well when you participate in or try to participate in government PPCE activities?
• What challenges, including any physical or digital accessibility barriers, have you encountered when you participate in or try to participate in Federal Government PPCE activities?
• What might the Federal Government do to make it easier or more likely for you to participate and engage with the Federal Government to inform government decision-making?
• What is your understanding of how individuals and organizations can engage with the Federal Government to inform government decision-making? What can the Federal Government do to broaden and diversify reach?

Content

• What types of content could OMB include in a Federal framework for PPCE that would be effective and informative for Federal agencies?
• How might OMB facilitate agencies adopting and effectively applying such practices?
• What are effective ways for the Federal Government to provide updates to the public about the feedback it receives during, and decisions made after, PPCE activities?
• What goals and objectives should OMB consider when developing a Federal framework for PPCE?
• What guidance might OMB provide to agencies for developing their own goals, objectives, and metrics for participation and engagement?

Process

• What specific steps could OMB take that involve the Federal Government and the public, especially members of underserved communities, to ensure collaborative development of a Federal framework for PPCE?

HOW YOU CAN GIVE FEEDBACK:

• Submit public comment (ENDS MAY 17, 2024): On March 20, OMB published a Request for Information (RFI) to seek public feedback through the Federal Register. The RFI includes multiple questions related to experiences, content, and process. (Respondents do not have to answer every question.) Read RFI and submit comments.
• Complete a simple form (ENDS MAY 17, 2024): Alternatively, you may submit input on the questions in the RFI through a simple online form. (This form asks the same questions as the RFI. Respondents do not have to answer every question.) Submit responses via form.
• Attend a listening session (VARIOUS DATES: Dates and registration information to follow.): In addition to, or in lieu of, submitting written feedback through either method above, consider attending a virtual event hosted by the Federal Government to learn more and / or provide live input. 

Background
Federal laws and Executive directives require agencies to frequently consult with the public to shape policies and actions. However, these consultation efforts may be perceived as inaccessible or disconnected from stakeholder interests and priorities.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) wants your ideas to develop a Federal framework, guidelines, and leading practices for public participation and community engagement (PPCE) activities to help Federal agencies more broadly and meaningfully engage with you and your communities.

PPCE activities include notice and comment processes, Requests for Information, consultations, listening sessions, customer feedback surveys, user research, crowdsourcing, and other activities carried out by Federal agencies to consult with the public to inform regulations, policies, program and service design, and other actions.