San Bernardino County communicators make mark at statewide conference

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“CAPIO Advancing Public Sector Communicators” backdrop with colorful balloons and surfboard reading “Making Waves CAPIO 2026.”

At the 2026 CAPIO conference in San Diego, county communicators shared ethical communications and AI-driven engagement strategies with public information professionals.

Two presenters stand next to each other in a conference room in front of a presentation with a slide reading “Ethics in Capturing Behavioral Health.”

County Behavioral Health staff presented the county’s first presentation “Ethics in Capturing Behavioral Health Content: Dignity, Consent, and Impact.”

Three people pose in front of colorful balloons and a CAPIO backdrop with a “Making Waves CAPIO 2026” surfboard.

County Communications staff deputy public information officer Jannelle Needham, chief communications officer Martha Guzman-Hurtado and branding and marketing officer Axel Colin.

Seated audience in a large conference room with two presenters speaking in the back of the room at a podium and table. Presentation slide reads: “AI in Communications. AI isn’t replacing workers; it’s enhancing our work.”

County Communications staff represented the county’s second presentation “Prompt Smarter, Communicate Better: AI Prompts for Public Agency Storytelling.”

California’s public information professionals gathered in San Diego last week for the California Association of Public Information Officials’ (CAPIO) “Making Waves” 2026 Annual Conference, drawing more than 850 government communicators to explore strategies, tools and best practices that strengthen public communications.

More than 25 communicators from San Bernardino County attended the event. County staff were competitively selected to present in two of the conference’s 52 breakout sessions, showcasing innovative approaches that help better inform, engage and support the county’s more than 2.2 million residents.

Ethics in storytelling

The San Bernardino County Behavioral Health Department had the valuable opportunity to present Ethics in Capturing Behavioral Health Content at the 2026 CAPIO Conference, led by Miranda Canseco Ochoa, administrative manager and Marrice Hill, mental health specialist. Their session emphasized the importance of approaching every story with respect, empathy and psychological safety, ensuring individuals feel honored throughout the interview and production process.

They emphasized the significance of securing informed consent, implementing trauma-informed approaches and practicing responsible storytelling. Attendees were reminded that it is crucial to preserve everyone’s dignity well beyond the conclusion of filming. By sharing practical examples, such as the department’s “Fentanyl Media Campaign,” they illustrated how ethical communication not only fosters public trust but also helps prevent stigmatization within the community.

The basics of prompt engineering

This presentation underscored why ethical content creation is essential to maintaining the trust and respect of San Bernardino County’s diverse communities. From the County Administrative Office’s Communications division, Deputy Public Information Officer Jannelle Needham and Marketing and Branding Manager Axel Colin presented “Prompt Smarter, Communicate Better: AI Prompts for Public Agency Storytelling.” The hands-on workshop demonstrated how artificial intelligence can help county staff work more efficiently while preserving the essential human connection in public communication.

Needham opened the session by addressing a familiar challenge: the blank page when drafting press releases, newsletter stories or social media content. She shared practical prompt engineering techniques — creating clear, organized instructions for AI that can sharpen messaging and accelerate content development.

“AI gets you past the blank page faster,” Needham said. “But editorial judgment, subject-matter expertise and most importantly, connection to the community are what carry the message across the finish line and make it meaningful to residents.”

Turning a prompt into a song

Colin showed how AI can support creative outreach by generating complete campaign songs with vocals and music — without expensive production. He drew examples from the county’s “Explore San Bernardino County Services” campaign and the award-winning “So Much to Love” song, which earned a Gold ADDY Award from the American Advertising Federation.

The session concluded with a lively audience exercise in which attendees co-created a CAPIO-themed song using the techniques discussed. To listen to the song, visit: youtu.be/E2y720RQ28Q.

“People may forget statistics, but they seldom forget how something made them feel,” said Colin. “A song can turn a standard government message into something that resonates and sticks with residents.”

By actively participating and presenting at the conference, San Bernardino County communicators brought home fresh ideas while sharing practical innovations. These efforts help the county deliver clear, timely and engaging information that strengthens public trust, keeps residents informed during emergencies and helps them stay connected to their local government.

Additional County Update News – May 21, 2026