Several members and staff of the Community Involvement Committee, alongside family and friends, at the annual CIC Summer Social on June 16th, 2025.

About the Office of Community Involvement (OCI)

The OCI was established in 1984 to support County-wide engagement through a multifaceted approach. OCI collaborates with departments and staff to strengthen program-based engagement. We advise on engagement policies and procedures and develop engagement trainings and resources for county staff and community members. We serve as a community portal to departmental engagement opportunities and directly support civic advisory committees to amplify public feedback in County engagement and budget resource allocation.

Through the county’s advisory bodies, community members are able to share feedback and provide recommendations for the improvement of services and programs. In addition, community members participate in the function, review, and improvement of Multnomah County's programs, policies, and services through a wide variety of volunteer and intern opportunities.

We welcome everyone who lives, works, plays, and worships in Multnomah County to participate in shaping our county policies, budgets, and programs. Here are some opportunities for community members to engage:

Apply for Community Budget Advisory Committees (CBACs)

Are you passionate about Multnomah County services and programs? Are you curious about how the county budget process works? Do you enjoy working in a group to advise on difficult decisions? If so, the Community Budget Advisory Program may be for you!

CBACs are groups of community members that review and make recommendations on county departmental budgets and operations. 

Ready to apply? The online application is live!

Need more information? Contact us or check out the below opportunities to learn more -

Upcoming 30 - minute virtual CBAC Info Sessions:

Sessions are virtual on Google Meet (click for link).

• Wednesday, July 2, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am
• Thursday, July 10, 2025 6:00pm - 6:30pm
• Friday, July 18, 2025 12:00pm - 12:30pm

Virtual Drop-In Office Hours with OCI Staff: 

Stop by anytime and ask a question or get help submitting your application during OCI’s CBAC inquiry hour held every Monday on every Monday on Google Meet (click for link) starting July 7th through August 25th 12:00pm - 12:30pm.

Learn more and share the opportunity!

Join the Multnomah County Public Health Advisory Board!

Are you passionate about health equity and want to make a difference in your community? The Multnomah County Public Health Advisory Board is the best way for the Public Health Division to hear your voice! 

What is MCPHAB? The Multnomah County Public Health Advisory Board (MCPHAB) advises the Public Health Division with a strong focus on ethics in public health practice. MCPHAB collaborates with Public Health leadership to develop long-term approaches to address the leading causes of death in Multnomah County in order to achieve healthy and thriving communities.

Who should apply? 

MCPHAB members: 

• Are passionate about health equity
• Interested in education, environmental issues, food systems, transportation, and more 
• Reside or work in Multnomah County
• Do not need to have public health experience

Time commitment: 2-3 hours per month, compensation for your time is provided. $50 gift card per monthly meeting.

Interested?

Learn more on www.multco.us/mcphab and apply here by Sunday, June 29, 2025.

Summer's ahead: prepare now to help our communities stay cool!

As temperatures begin to rise, here are some tips and resources, as well as reminders of upcoming trainings to help you prepare to support Severe Weather Shelters!

Heat tools

• Start building an emergency supply of water storage. But remember: even a little storage is worth it! 
• Cooling towels are affordable and reusable. Find one that works for you.
• Box fans can help if used properly as long as it’s under 95 degrees. You can even add a filter to your fan to help clean the air.  

Community Resources 

When the weather turns hot, please share the County’s Help for When It’s Hot website (multco.us/hot) with your networks. You can also remind people to swim and splash safely. 

Multnomah County may open up Disaster Resource Centers (DRCs) or Emergency Cooling Shelters to keep people safe, with communitywide support to help run or staff them. 

Visit multco.us/volunteer-emergency-shelter for details about upcoming Disaster Resource Center info sessions and trainings, if you are interested in volunteering.

Other ways to get involved if your group or facility are a good fit:

• Request a group info session and training.
• Work with our County Emergency Management Logistics team to create a DRC.
• Spread word about our help when it’s hot or care when it’s cold webpages before and during severe weather events.
• Share these links with your networks!

Thank you for being safe and caring about our communities!

-Department of County Human Services

Learn more about how to volunteer in extreme weather!

FY26 Budget Adopted!

The Multnomah County budget for FY26 (2025-2026) passed on Thursday, June 12th.

Ongoing Input: members of the public can always attend and provide public comments on agenda and non-agenda items at Thursday Board Meetings. Agendas are on the Board Clerk's webpage. You can attend in-person or watch sessions on YouTube!

As always, you can reach out to your Commissioner and the Chair directly with your thoughts, concerns, and questions.