PURPOSE - the purpose of the PIO Committee is to proactively and reactively promote greater understanding of the child protection mission, philosophies, services to the community’s children and families, and needs - financial, foster caregivers, adoptive families. The committee provides expertise to agencies across the state for methods re: accountability to the general public, specific populations, and the media; effective responsiveness to the media when tragedies occur; promotion of system successes; foster, adoptive and other volunteer recruitment activities; levy campaign activities; and special events.

COMPOSITION - The statewide committee is open to all public agencies; membership includes Public Information Officers / Community Relations Directors, agency administrators, Intersystem Coordinators, Foster Care Recruiters, etc. Except in a very few large metropolitan agencies, or very progressive smaller agencies, few child protection agencies have a real PIO, most have an individual point person for which this is part of their job, along with several other tasks. The variety of perspective enrich the process.

MEETING FORMAT - This committee has a unique purpose and expertise in the world of child welfare. Media relations and public education are not typical social work activities or even skills, and the group very much appreciates the opportunity to convene and informally discuss current events and activities, how they were presented in the media, consult with one another for ongoing activities. The PIO Committee also works well with ongoing projects or tasks, with Product Development. Depending on the task and topic, specific guests may be invited to participate and provide input.

PRODUCTS - Highlights of PIO Committee products include the following:

• The "Blueprint" - a newsletter style product with "How Tos", planning, writing, financing, etc. an agency newsletter on a budget.
• Guide for a Crisis Response Plan
• Strategies for Success for Foster Caregiver Recruitment and Retention
• Development of an Agency Speaker’s Bureau
• Tips for Child Abuse Prevention Month Activities
• Coordination of Statewide Opinion Editorial
• Formula for conveying the Child Protection Mission within community issues
• Coordinated purchasing opportunities of parenting brochures, agency promotional items, billboard space, sharing of video or voice products, etc.
• Annual conference presentations on dealing with the media, effective ongoing public relations, use of promotional techniques, etc.
• Enhancing the Professionalism and of Agency Staff
• The PCSAO Guide to Media Relations "How to Effectively Communicate With the Public" received review and input from this committee.
• The PIO Committee also provides consultation with PCSAO staff, for effective public relations.