Public Affairs and Community Services Mission Statement The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) carries out The Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) mandate as it relates to raising public awareness of Ohio Civil rights and responsibilities. Led by the Director of Public Affairs, who serves as the agency spokesperson, OPA vigorously pursues the OCRC’s mission to inform Ohioans and address their concerns and comments back to policymakers. OPA accomplishes this in a variety of ways: Media Relations Electronic Information and Publications Public Liaison Strategic Communications and Planning Intergovernmental Affairs MEDIA RELATIONS OPA coordinates media outreach enabling Ohioans to hear directly from key OCRC officials through local, regional and national media interviews. OPA responds to telephone and written inquiries made by the media, and creates and disseminates press releases on OCRC’s key issues. It coordinates press briefings, regional media and media outreach, and renders position statements on behalf of the OCRC. ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND PUBLICATIONS OPA manages, designs, develops, prepares information content for the agency’s external website. It’s Electronic/Public Information and Publications functions coordinates with other OCRC departments in order to do this effectively. OPA also maintains and develops publications such as the OCRC annual report, informative brochures and flyers, a quarterly newsletter, biographies for OCRC officials, as well as photographs for agency use. OPA also develops and maintains current electronic databases/mailing lists; group email and fax lists. PUBLIC LIAISON OPA creates and coordinates opportunities for dialogue between the OCRC and the general public to improve public awareness of, and involvement in the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Ohio Revised Code 4112, and its work. Giving presentations, speeches, and interviews, OPA also coordinates speaking engagements for the OCRC. It arranges special-issue briefings and fora in response to important civil rights developments and major U.S., Ohio and local policy initiatives with OCRC regional offices. Additionally, OPA answers telephone, email and hard copy mail inquiries, and manages requests for official correspondence from the agency. OPA has a comprehensive educational program as a result of its collaborative work with the Ohio Department of Education, as mandated in Ohio Revised Code 4112. The public liaison work of OPA also includes logistical preparation of meetings, conferences, and events, and requires constant networking and building community partnerships to promote OCRC and public awareness of its work. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION & PLANNING OCRC is required to make periodic surveys of the existence and effect of discrimination on the enjoyment of civil rights by persons within the state. Effective public outreach requires effective planning. As mandated, OCRC must formulate policies to effectuate the purposes of Section 4112 of the Ohio Revised Code, and make recommendations to agencies and offices of the state or local subdivisions of government to effectuate such policies. In order to provide effective short- and long-range strategic planning, the OCRC identifies a policy/legislative agenda. Data collection, research and community networks influence this agenda, with special emphasis on the growing immigrant community of and its effects on all OCRC departments. Also, effective in addressing this portion of the mandate is for OCRC staff to serve on advisory boards, commissions/committees with other organizations to achieve common goals. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OPA is devoted to collaborating, networking, advocating national, regional and local organizations representing state and locally elected officials including the governor’s office, Ohio city mayors, state legislatures, city councils, national and state organizations representing minority elected officials, and elected officials individually. OPA arranges and provides briefings and information on state policy issues, and state markets and trends. OPA’s intergovernmental and legislative affairs directives will not only ensure that the legislature of Ohio is knowledgeable about The Ohio Civil Rights Commission and its policy/legislative agenda, but will collaborate with other agencies and organizations in for the citizens of Ohio. Home   |   About Us   |   Services   |   Charge Forms   |   Regional Offices Publications   |   Employment   |   Public Affairs   |   Case Archive ** Disclaimer **