Public Participation Plan

latest news

Updating CCRPC’s Public Participation Plan (PPP)
CCRPC’s PPP was last updated in 2014 and is currently being updated to reflect evolving best practices in community engagement, CCRPC’s commitment to accessibility, and the ways we are working to reduce barriers to participation and build stronger relationships with the communities we serve. Opportunities to provide feedback will be shared here when available. Learn more below »

Current PPP Resources: Language Access Plan, Community Liaison Policy, and Stipend Policy
Throughout 2026, CCRPC has finalized and adopted three companion resources that will be incorporated into the PPP: the Language Access Plan, Community Liaison Policy, and Stipend Policy. Learn more below »

CCRPC’s Public Participation Plan (PPP) establishes how CCRPC engages community members, municipalities, partner organizations, and other interested and affected parties in its work, using both traditional and innovative outreach methods to meet the needs of our growing and increasingly diverse community.

The 2014 Public Participation Plan outlines the CCRPC’s principles and goals, aligns our strategies and activities with specific levels of engagement appropriate to each, and provides evaluation methods for determining the effectiveness of our initiatives.

SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON:

THE PLAN »
HISTORY »
STAFF RESOURCES »

The Plan

2026 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN

CCRPC is in the process of updating its Public Participation Plan and associated resources, and more information and opportunities for feedback will be shared here when available. Contact Anne Nelson Stoner for more information.

Companion Resources

The following resources are components of CCRPC’s Public Participation Plan and will be incorporated into the final document:

  • CCRPC Language Access Plan | Adopted July 2026 | Download »
    Establishes CCRPC’s approach to providing meaningful access to information and participation for people with language and communication needs.
  • CCRPC Community Liaison Policy | Adopted February 2026 | Download »
    Establishes a consistent framework for compensating individuals who support CCRPC’s outreach and engagement work as community liaisons.
  • CCRPC Stipend Policy | Adopted January 2026 | Download »
    Provides guidelines for compensating community members for their time and expertise when participating in CCRPC engagement activities.

Update Process

CCRPC’s Community Engagement Advisory Committee (CEAC) is helping guide the Public Participation Plan and its update process. The CEAC includes representatives from a diverse range of area interests, communities, and organizations and provides community perspectives and feedback to help ensure the Plan reflects meaningful, inclusive, and effective approaches to public participation. For more information about the CEAC and ways to get involved, please visit the CEAC webpage.

2014 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN & 2017 Amendments

Federal regulations require that the CCRPC, as the region’s metropolitan planning organization, develop and use a documented participation plan (CFR Part 450.316). It is intended to be a resource for the CCRPC to use in its efforts to reach out to and engage community members in the neighborhoods and towns impacted by its projects. On October 15, 2014, the CCRPC Board adopted the 2014 Public Participation Plan (PPP), an update to the 2008 Plan.

While we are proud of our strong relationships with local residents, advocacy and interest groups, and state and federal agencies, we strive to improve our efforts to involve the public in our planning and policy work, as inclusive community engagement is the foundation that will lead to improved problem-solving methods, decision-making and long-term solutions that meet the needs of our diverse community. The 2014 PPP seeks to strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones.

OTHER PPP RESOURCES:

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Public Participation Plan History

In 1991, the Federal government introduced transportation funding legislation that emphasized the need for public involvement in the planning process. This landmark legislation, the Intermodal Surface Transportation and Efficiency Act (ISTEA), raised awareness among transportation planning agencies of the need to fully engage citizens in determining their transportation future. Since the enactment, the CCRPC has developed an increasingly wide range of educational and public involvement opportunities.

CCRPC 2014 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN

Update Process

In June 2013, a Public Participation Plan Advisory Committee was assembled to assist in the development of a comprehensive public involvement process, building off of the existing (2008) Public Participation Plan. The assembled Advisory Committee included representatives from a diverse range of area interests and organizations. The Advisory Committee reviewed the existing Public Participation Plan to determine which elements were relevant to retain and which were outdated, reviewed other comparable plans and engagement tools, and assisted in the overall update of the Plan, with the deliverable being a draft 2014 Public Participation Plan (completed July, 2014).

Advisory Committee Members

Indra Acharya, Amy Bell, Meredith Birkett, Infinite Culcleasure, Erik Filkorn, Wanda Hines, Debbie Ingram (Chair), Isra Kassim, Sarah Launderville, Diane Meyerhoff, Isha Mohamed, Sara Martinez de Osaba, Sarah Sinnott, Kelly Stoddard-Poor

With Advisory Committee support from: AARP, CCTA, Joint Urban Ministry Project, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Vermont Interfaith Action, VTrans and the Visiting Nurse Association.

PPP Advisory Committee Meetings

CCRPC 2008 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN

CCRPC 2003 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN

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Staff Resources

Below is a collection of resources for staff and consultants to use as they develop the Public Participation Plan for any project. Action items are listed for each.

  • CCRPC Language Access Plan | Adopted July 2026 | Download »
    Establishes CCRPC’s approach to providing meaningful access to information and participation for people with language and communication needs.
  • CCRPC Community Liaison Policy | Adopted February 2026 | Download »
    Establishes a consistent framework for compensating individuals who support CCRPC’s outreach and engagement work as community liaisons.
  • CCRPC Stipend Policy | Adopted January 2026 | Download »
    Provides guidelines for compensating community members for their time and expertise when participating in CCRPC engagement activities.
  • CCRPC 2014 Public Participation Plan | Download »
    This is the full Plan, including appendices.
  • CCRPC Spectrum of Participation | Download »
    The Spectrum identifies the various levels at which the public is involved in any project performed by the CCRPC.
    ACTION: Consult the Spectrum of Participation at the inception of a project to determine the appropriate level of community involvement.
  • CCRPC Public Participation Plan & Equity Impact Worksheet | Word Document » | PDF »
    This worksheet will assist you in considering your process, purpose, primary audience, potential barriers, impacts and strategies to inform and involve your intended audience before you begin a project.
    ACTION: Complete the worksheet if you will be working on an effort that falls under Involve, Collaborate, or Empower on the Spectrum of Participation.
  • Evaluation Criteria and Performance Goals for Public Participation | Download »
    This matrix identifies evaluation criteria, performance goals, and methods to reach the goals for each public participation strategy you may use when implementing your Public Participation Plan for a project.
    ACTION: Consult this matrix early in developing your Public Participation Plan for outreach ideas and to ensure the tools you use can be measured throughout for their effectiveness.

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