Ford Foundation
HR&A executed Thrive305, the largest public engagement initiative in Miami-Dade County government history, gathering input from 26,500 residents through 1.2 million survey responses in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. Adapting the Talking Transition model for Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s administration, our COVID-responsive approach trained 250 County employees as ambassadors and produced a 38-point Action Plan that is transforming how Miami-Dade government engages communities.
Greater Miami has been described as “a place of constant change without a solid blueprint”—a region with history of inconsistent civic engagement and fragmented political structure. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s election created an opportunity to transform how local government operates. Working closely with the Mayor’s Office of Innovation and Performance, HR&A designed Thrive305 to create sustainable transformation of government practices around engagement and collaborative policy development. In February 2021, we launched a countywide survey deploying adaptive digital tools and targeted canvassing to reach underrepresented geographies and residents without internet access. The three-week survey collected responses in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. HR&A trained over 250 County employees as ambassadors who facilitated town halls during Civic Week, drawing 500+ residents. Action Plan Workshops then brought together policy experts and County leaders to craft implementable solutions.
The resulting 38-point Action Plan translates twelve resident priorities into specific government actions assigned across departments. The administration incorporated priorities into the FY21-22 budget, updated the Strategic Plan with new metrics, and formed an executive council to coordinate implementation. Thrive305 continues as a living document with regular convenings for partnership, progress reporting, and identification of new actions, establishing a new era where community voice directly shapes how Miami-Dade County government works.
