Innovative Approaches to Enhance Government, Industry and Community Partnerships (20m Lecture)

The County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health Division of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) regulates over 22,000 facilities and activities spread over 20,000 square miles. DEHS maintains a strong partnership with industry and the public by utilizing innovative technological resources to provide a constant flow of communication and information. DEHS utilizes GovDelivery, an automated email subscription management system to send industry-specific newsletters to more than 7,500 people throughout the County. These newsletters keep operators updated with industry news and updates. DEHS also uses social media to distribute information such as fact sheets, press releases, and food recalls to a broader audience of different demographics. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube are a quick and cost-efficient means of communication that can easily be shared. For example, DEHS’s Facebook page content is accessed by users throughout the County, the State and the Nation, reaching an average of over 9,500 Facebook users each month. DEHS has created web-based customer service surveys on Survey Monkey to ensure that our services are responsive to customers’ needs. DEHS continues to sustain a transparent, direct, and personable relationship with operators by hosting Industry Roundtables. These meetings are an open forum where operators can hear about Division updates, learn more about inspection procedures, and participate in a Q&A session with the management team. Roundtable attendees have consisted of over 100 unique facility operators. Incorporating these resources have bridged communication gaps with industry and the public and assists DEHS in providing excellent customer service.