The AAMC Center for Health Justice submitted a May 17 letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in response to a request for information (RFI) on Methods and Leading Practices for Advancing Public Participation and Community Engagement With the Federal Government. The purpose of the RFI is to help the government “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.”
To inform its letter, the center collected input from members of its health equity community (AAMC CHARGE) and the Multisector Partner Group, many of whom submitted independent comments endorsing the center’s recommendations. The center commended the OMB for proactively taking steps to diversify public engagement in governmental decision-making with an explicit interest in perspectives from individuals and organizations connected to historic and contemporary injustices and inequities. The center also provided detailed recommendations on three key areas:
- Fostering Meaningful Engagement with Diverse Populations. Develop resources (e.g., toolkits, guiding principles, educational resources) to build and uphold trust, accountability, and transparency. One example is the center’s Principles of Trustworthiness Toolkit to ensure meaningful partnership with diverse populations.
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Innovative Processes for Engagement. Develop innovative engagement processes, ensuring the PPCE considers individuals with disabilities and those with low literacy levels or language barriers, among other factors.
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Broadening Diversity and Reach. Develop pathways for community feedback that extend through the lifecycle of government activity from inception to implementation and completion.