ABOUT THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE, INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The Office of Legislative, Intergovernmental and Public Affairs (OLIPA), under the supervision of the Associate Director, serves as the principal point of Congressional, intergovernmental and media contact for the Agency.  The office reviews and advises the Director and the Deputy Director on all legislative and intergovernmental proposals.  OLIPA prepares, reviews and obtains clearance of proposed legislation and reports requested by Members of Congress and the DC City Council.  OLIPA also provides legislative drafting advice, tracks federal and local legislation, coordinates preparation of testimony, and reviews transcripts of hearings. 

OLIPA responds to all inquiries regarding CSOSA.  The Office establishes and maintains effective liaison with Congress, DC Council, DC Judiciary, Federal Departments and Agencies, and other public and private groups having an interest in matters affecting CSOSA.  OLIPA ensures that the Agency’s concerns and priorities are reflected in decision-making and position papers within the criminal justice community.  It ensures prompt response to the Congress and other interested parties on all inquiries relating to the activities of CSOSA.

The Public Affairs division of OLIPA formulates and implements the agency’s public affairs program. This includes: 

• Developing complex informational campaigns, which relate to the statutory responsibilities of the agency. In addition, it develops and coordinates agency media policy in consultation with the Associate Director and senior staff members. 

• Serves as the primary agency contact with the media and speaks for the agency in response to media queries on a variety of agency matters. 

• Advises agency officials on the possible public and media reactions to proposed policy statements or agency actions. Recommends and coordinates the preparation of appropriate responses. 

• Arranges media interviews with the Agency Head and key agency officials; coordinates special campaigns and press conferences. 

• Prepares  and/or alerts officials of possible reactions to policy and program options. 

• Writes and edits news releases, articles, special reports, annual reports, pamphlets and other written materials. Identifies and maintains effective methods for timely and effective dissemination of all such materials. 

• Drafts texts for the Agency Head and senior agency officials for interviews, news conferences, seminars and other outreach efforts. 

• Develops and implements communication plans to emphasize aspects of the Agency’s mission, and provide the kind of information that various groups need or desire. 

• Advises the Agency Head and senior management of the best approaches to use in making presentations before specific audiences. Provides input to and assists the agency’s educational outreach program. 

• Represents the office in seminars, conferences and outreach activities before governmental and non-governmental groups. 

• Assists the Agency Head and senior management with intergovernmental and legislative affairs with the Office of Management and Budget, the Congress and other Federal Agencies.