4.1.1: Processes and Mechanisms

Expand and improve the participation processes and mechanisms

Other Information:

USDA recognizes the importance and need to reach more people and taking greater advantage of new technologies to make participation easier. To reach out to a more engaged citizenry, the Department is expanding and improving the participation process. Specifically, USDA is adopting more user-friendly tools to reduce barriers to participation. These tools enable the public to personalize their interaction with the Department. They also allow the public to contribute directly to subject matter discussions of interest. The MyPyramid for Kids initiative is one such program at USDA that is encouraging greater participation through the use of new and improved tools and technologies. MyPyramid for Kids is a child-friendly version of MyPyramid designed for 6-11- year-olds. MyPyramid for Kids allows school children to use the interactive tools to personalize eating plans, make healthy eating choices, and be more physically active. On the site, kids can play a nutrition game, color their own pyramid, or even complete meal tracking worksheets. Let’s move! USDA also is exploring the use of Web-based communication and face-to-face strategies to extend its outreach and call to participation. By utilizing technologies like webinars, and hosting listening sessions, the Department can make sure that it hears from everyone, including those in the most rural of communities and citizens who are not equipped with Internet access. An example of face-to-face outreach, USDA-Office of Chief Information Officer is spearheading a series of Listening Sessions intended to collect and convey information that will be use to provide better service delivery to USDA internal and external customers by improving business processes and leveraging existing information technology. USDA-OCIO and other USDA Agencies, such as the Farm Service Agency, will visit several USDA Service Centers and producer group forums to identify customer needs, discuss existing challenges in service delivery and to identify opportunities to improve service delivery. The information and customer feedback captured during these sessions will be evaluated by the Department and Agency heads and used to support IT enhancements, priorities and goals; and to improve farm program business process and policy implementation.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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