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NC Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Public Affairs
 
 

Public Affairs Publication Review

Do you have a publication, website, video, ad, promotional material, logo or other materials to be produced? Public Affairs has the final signoff authority for all printed, produced and web materials created within DHHS, as well as media marketing plans.

The Public Information Officer assigned to each division will edit your materials, and can also help plan and write materials and advise you on publication and project development. Call 855-4840 to talk with your Public Information Officer.

Materials that need to be reviewed

  • Any brochure, pamphlet, newsletter, Web site, booklet, book, report, manual, poster, invitation or similar publication.
  • Websites and web-based materials (see chapter 1 in the Website Style Guide for a review checklist)
  • Logos
  • Promotional items, plans and materials, including print and broadcast advertisements, "spots," and public service announcements
  • Audiovisual presentations/multimedia/TV/radio presentations for use outside the department (pre-production scripts and the produced presentations, before dissemination)
  • English text for translation into a foreign language, and the final translated text (forms are handled on the division level).

Materials that do not need to be reviewed

Forms and intra-agency and interagency communications, such as letters, memos, instructions, training manuals and correspondence. (All web materials on our public websites do require review regardless of the intended audience.) Forms requirements and review are handled on the division level.

Review and approval process

Division directors or office heads must ensure that publications and other materials originating within their divisions are factual, accurate and conform to department and state policies. The following multilevel review process is used:

  • Review by the head of the program, branch head or section chief for technical and factual accuracy.
  • Review by other supervisory authority required by the division.
  • Review by the division director (or designee) for content, style and conformity to established standards.
  • Review by Public Affairs Office (and Graphic Arts staff where appropriate) for overall style, readability, usage, design and compliance with policy. (Learn the required elements on all publications.)
  • Materials that have been translated into Spanish or another language must also be reviewed by at least one qualified bilingual reviewer.
  • For review of website materials, see Chapter 2 of the DHHS Web Style Guide.

Fill out the PA-2 Public Affairs Review form and attach with the document at the beginning of the review or graphic design process so the process can be tracked and all necessary signatures can be added. If applicable, attach a Photo and Interview Consent Form (Spanish version) for each photograph. Be sure to allow for an adequate amount of time for for review when planning the project.

For more information or help in understanding the Public Affairs review process, contact Public Affairs Office at (919) 855-4840.