{"id":226938,"date":"2025-03-10T19:48:35","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T23:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/?p=226938"},"modified":"2026-02-07T10:53:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T02:53:28","slug":"how-fresno-cogs-high-impact-community-engagement-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/2025\/03\/10\/how-fresno-cogs-high-impact-community-engagement-success\/","title":{"rendered":"High-Impact Community Engagement, Limited Resources: How Fresno COG Achieved Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"226938\" class=\"elementor elementor-226938\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a3a4335 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4a3a4335\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9353c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f9353c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote><em>As a regional leader in transportation and community planning, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fresnocog.org\/\">Fresno Council of Governments<\/a>\u00a0(Fresno COG) was honored with the\u00a0<b>Breakthrough Performance Award<\/b> for its exceptional commitment to operational excellence and public engagement. This case study highlights how Fresno COG leveraged innovative strategies to overcome tight timelines and ensure meaningful participation in regional planning efforts.<\/em><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37d4d0d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"37d4d0d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9de8cdd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9de8cdd\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc79502 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc79502\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Community Profile<\/strong><\/h2><p>The Fresno COG is a regional planning agency serving as a consensus builder for Fresno County, California.<br \/><br \/><\/p><p>Comprising of 16 local governments, Fresno COG addresses issues that cross political boundaries and works to engage the region\u2019s diverse population. With <strong>nearly half of its residents identifying as Latino\/Hispanic and over 40% speaking a language other than English<\/strong>, Fresno County\u2019s demographic diversity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for inclusive public engagement.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c08d21 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0c08d21\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-798f460 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"798f460\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Community Engagement Challenges on Tight Timelines<\/strong><\/h2><p>As a small team juggling multiple priorities, Fresno COG faced the challenge of delivering high-quality public engagement despite limited resources. This became even more pressing when they were tasked with outreach for the Climate Pollution Reduction Plan (CPRG)\u2014a time-sensitive initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Fresno County. With only two weeks to gather public input, the stakes were high. The CPRG\u2019s success depended on community-driven feedback to secure EPA funding for climate initiatives, making it crucial to engage the public in a meaningful and transparent way.<\/p><h2><strong>How PublicInput Was Used<\/strong><\/h2><p>To meet the tight timeline, Fresno COG turned to PublicInput\u2019s community engagement platform to streamline workflows and engage the community across multiple channels. The platform allowed them to gather diverse, meaningful input quickly and efficiently.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-357671a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"357671a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Project-Site-1-1024x315.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-228923\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Project-Site-1-1024x315.png 1024w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Project-Site-1-300x92.png 300w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Project-Site-1-768x236.png 768w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Project-Site-1-1536x472.png 1536w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Project-Site-1-1080x332.png 1080w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Project-Site-1-1280x393.png 1280w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Project-Site-1-980x301.png 980w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Project-Site-1-480x148.png 480w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Project-Site-1.png 1861w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83aa9a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"83aa9a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Here\u2019s what they put to work:<\/p><ul><li><b>Project Site<\/b>: Accessible hub with over 100 language options, detailing emission reduction efforts.<\/li><li><b>Interactive Mapping<\/b>: Enabled residents to share location-based feedback on climate actions.<\/li><li><b>Email\/Voicemail Boxes<\/b>: Simple channels for submitting written or verbal feedback.<\/li><li><b>Online Survey<\/b>: Prioritized community preferences for emission-reduction strategies.<\/li><li><b>Timeline<\/b>: Updated the public on key project milestones.<\/li><li><b>Meeting Access<\/b>: event listing with archived recordings and associated materials.<\/li><li><b>Subscription Page<\/b>: Easy email and text message opt-in for project updates.<\/li><li><b>Resource Library<\/b>: Provided accessible information to facilitate more informed public input.<\/li><\/ul><p>By leveraging these features, Fresno COG maximized outreach efforts, encouraged active participation, and ensured transparency at every step. This comprehensive, multichannel approach fostered collaboration between the public and the agency, strengthening the planning and implementation process.<\/p><h2><b>The Results: Streamlined Engagement, Greater Reach<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><\/h2><p>By using PublicInput\u2019s platform, Fresno COG improved operational efficiency and expanded community engagement. Their key outcomes included:<\/p><ul><li><b>National Recognition<\/b>: Fresno COG earned recognition from the EPA for outstanding public outreach, positioning the region as a leader in climate action planning.<\/li><li><b>Improved Accessibility<\/b>: The platform\u2019s multichannel approach, including voicemail and email options, made it easy for diverse communities to participate, ensuring everyone\u2019s voice was heard.<\/li><li><b>Operational Growth<\/b>: Fresno COG\u2019s success led to the expansion of their team and the addition of new consultants, further broadening their reach and effectiveness.<\/li><li><b>Improved Planning Process<\/b>: The ability to manage tight timelines and engage a broad audience contributed to a more transparent and collaborative planning process, setting a foundation for long-term success in emissions reduction strategies.<\/li><\/ul><p>These results demonstrate how leveraging the right tools can enhance your agency\u2019s engagement efforts and set the stage for long-term success.<\/p><h2><b>Explore More Ways to Improve Community Engagement<\/b><\/h2><p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/W4CmdSN3KCg?feature=shared\">Why PublicInput?<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Discover how PublicInput simplifies community engagement for state and local governments. From outreach to analytics, our all-in-one platform helps you connect with residents effortlessly.<\/p><p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/how-fresno-cogs-high-impact-community-engagement-success\/#demo\">Talk to An Expert<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Want to create more accessible, data-driven, and equitable public engagement? Let\u2019s talk.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd524c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"fd524c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/learn.publicinput.com\/request-a-demo\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get a Demo<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a regional leader in transportation and community planning, the\u00a0Fresno Council of Governments\u00a0(Fresno COG) was honored with the\u00a0Breakthrough Performance Award for its exceptional commitment to operational excellence and public engagement. This case study highlights how Fresno COG leveraged innovative strategies to overcome tight timelines and ensure meaningful participation in regional planning efforts. Community Profile The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":226948,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1512,1514,1509],"tags":[1417,1461,1381,1733,1387,1734,1477,1419],"class_list":["post-226938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-case-studies","category-local-governments","category-resources","tag-accessibility","tag-best-practices","tag-city-council","tag-climate-action","tag-community-engagement","tag-community-involvement","tag-outreach","tag-planning"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Feature.jpg","rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Feature.jpg",400,234,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Feature.jpg",400,234,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Feature.jpg",400,234,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Feature-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Feature-300x176.jpg",300,176,true],"large":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Feature.jpg",400,234,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Feature.jpg",400,234,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fresno-COG-Feature.jpg",400,234,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Tricia Thomas","author_link":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/author\/triciathomas\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/category\/case-studies\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Case Studies<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/category\/local-governments\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Local Governments<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/category\/resources\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Resources<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"As a regional leader in transportation and community planning, the\u00a0Fresno Council of Governments\u00a0(Fresno COG) was honored with the\u00a0Breakthrough Performance Award for its exceptional commitment to operational excellence and public engagement. This case study highlights how Fresno COG leveraged innovative strategies to overcome tight timelines and ensure meaningful participation in regional planning efforts. Community Profile The&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=226938"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":231078,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226938\/revisions\/231078"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/226948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=226938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=226938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=226938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}