Educational Outreach

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Union County employees are dedicated professionals with valuable expertise in a variety of topics, and we welcome opportunities to share knowledge with the community. Whether you’re looking for a speaker on public safety, environmental initiatives, services, or other topics, we may be able to provide a County employee to present to your group, school or organization.

Important Information:

These opportunities are for Union County audiences.
Please provide as much notice as possible - generally, at least two weeks.
Submitting a request does not guarantee availability.
Once your request is received, a member of the relevant department will follow up to discuss details.
While not common, employees reserve the right to cancel in the event of an emergency, staffing shortage or other unforeseen circumstance. If this occurs, the requester will be notified as soon as possible.

We appreciate your interest in learning more about County programs and services, and we look forward to the opportunity to engage with your group!

Department Educational Outreach Opportunities

Board of Elections

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Voter Registration	New Union County Residents	Provides an overview of how to register to vote, update voter information, and understand eligibility requirements. Emphasizes the importance of civic participation and how voting helps shape local communities.	Email the Board of Elections.
Recruiting Precinct Officials / Get Involved with Elections	Adults Groups: HOAs, Business	Highlights opportunities for residents to serve as Precinct Officials and support fair, secure, and accessible elections. Participants learn about the roles, responsibilities, training, and how to get involved.	Email the Board of Elections.
How Elections Work	Students: K–12	Explains the election process from start to finish, including voting methods, ballot counting, election security, and how results are certified. Builds confidence in the integrity and transparency of local elections.	Email the Board of Elections.

Budget and Grants Management

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Explaining the County's Budget Process	Students: Grades 6-12, College Groups: Community	Breaks down how the county budget is developed, approved, and implemented. Participants gain insight into how public funds are allocated, priorities are set, and residents can engage in the process.	Email Budget and Grants Management.
Community Partner Grant Information	Groups: Nonprofits, Community	Provides guidance for organizations interested in applying for county funding. Covers eligibility, application requirements, timelines, and best practices for submitting a successful funding request.	Email Budget and Grants Management.
About the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program	Groups: Nonprofits, Community	Introduces the CDBG Program and how it supports housing, infrastructure, and community services. Explains funding priorities, eligibility criteria, and how community needs are identified and addressed.	Email Budget and Grants Management.

Community Support and Outreach

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Health Education	General Audience	Covers a variety of wellness topics including nutrition, physical activity, tobacco cessation, mental health, and chronic disease prevention. Also includes overviews of Human Services programs and how to access them.	Request Participation or Program Information.
Volunteer Opportunities	General Audience	Learn how to get involved through Union County Human Services volunteer programs, many of which are seasonal.	Request Participation or Program Information.
Parenting Support	Parents with children ages 0–5 and parents of adolescents with children at high risk for serious behaviors/suspensions.	Offers strategies and resources for parents of young children or teens facing challenges at school or home. Focus is on early childhood development and behavior intervention.	Request Participation or Program Information.

County Administration

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
About Union County Government	Students: K-12 Groups: Community	Offers an overview of Union County Government, including departments, services, and how local government functions. Helps residents understand who does what and how to access county resources.	Email Public Communications.

TOPIC

AUDIENCE

DESCRIPTION

INTERESTED?

About Union County Government

Students: K-12

Groups: Community

Offers an overview of Union County Government, including departments, services, and how local government functions. Helps residents understand who does what and how to access county resources.

Email Public Communications.

Economic Development

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Industry Recruitment & Expansion	Students: 9-12, college. Community & Civic Groups	Explores how Union County pursues economic development projects that align with the County's interests and strategic goals.	Email Economic Development.

Emergency Communications

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
What to Know When Calling 911	Students: K-12 Groups: Nonprofits, Community, Seniors	Educates participants on when to call 911, what information to share during an emergency, and what to expect when calling.	Email Emergency Communications.
911 Telecommunicator Career Opportunities	Students: K-12, College	Highlights career paths in emergency communications and public safety.	Email Emergency Communications.

Environmental Health

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Healthy Homes, Lead, Food Safety Awareness	General Audience Groups: Community	Teaches how to maintain a safe, healthy home environment by addressing issues like pests, mold and indoor air quality. Can also include information on preventing lead exposure and understanding safe food handling.	Email Environmental Health.
Hand Hygiene, Basic Food Safety	Groups: School Events, Camps	A kid-friendly session that uses visual aids and activities to teach children the importance of handwashing and food safety.	Email Environmental Health.

Fire Marshal's Office

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Fire Prevention & Safety	Students: Grades 2-12	Focuses on fire prevention strategies for homes and communities, including smoke alarm safety and escape planning. Introduces the “Sound Off” program and how residents can access fire safety resources.	Email the Fire Marshal's Office.
First aid, CPR & AED training	Groups: Business, HOAs, Community	Introduces essential lifesaving skills that help individuals to respond confidently during medical emergencies.	Email the Fire Marshal's Office.
General Fire Safety & Prevention (including fire extinguisher training)	Groups: Business, HOAs, Community	Focuses on practical steps everyone can take to prevent fires and stay safe at home, work and in public spaces.	Email the Fire Marshal's Office.
Steps to Safety	Union County Residents Groups: HOAs, Community	Covers a variety of safety topics including fire escape plans, space heater safety, fire extinguishers, slip s/trips/falls and more.	Email the Fire Marshal's Office.

GIS & Mapping

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
UC Atlas Tool, General GIS & Mapping Resources	Groups: Business, Community	Introduces GIS mapping tools as practical resources for understanding and improving our community. Participants learn the basics of reading and creating maps and applying GIS to visualize data.	Email GIS.

Human Resources

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Career Days / Careers in Local Government	Students: Grades 9-12, College	This topic explores the wide range of careers available in local government. Connects students with local professionals to make a difference close to home.	Email Human Resources.

Information Technology

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Broadband Expansion Efforts	Groups: Business, Community, Community, Schools/PTAs	Session explores ongoing broadband expansion initiatives and their role in supporting local economies.	Email I nformation Technology.
Cybersecurity Awareness	Groups: Community, Nonprofits	Designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to stay safe online.	Email I nformation Technology.

Library

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Community Events	Community Partners	Invite Union County Library to be part of your community event.	Request Participation Information.
Library to You	Groups: Community, Schools	The library can come to your school or organization for a group library card signup event or library information session.	Request Participation Information.
Tours & Group Visits	Union County Residents	Union County Library welcomes group visits and offers tours of our public areas for schools and organizations at all of our library locations.	Request a Visit.

Parks & Recreation

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Nature Exhibit	Students: Grades 1-5	An interactive nature exhibit designed for students to inspire curiosity and environmental stewardship.	Request a Program.
Survival Skills	Students: Grades 1-5	Teaches students essential survival skills for outdoor safety, emergency preparedness and self-reliance.	Request a Program.
Geocaching (10 GPS Units)	Students: Grades 3-12	Introduces students to geocaching, a modern-day treasure hunting activity that combines technology and outdoor adventure.	Request a Program.
Archery	Students: Grades 3-12	Introduces students to archery highlighting opportunities for recreation, skill-building and personal development.	Request a Program.

Planning

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Community Demographics	Students: Grades 9-12 Groups: HOAs, Civic, Realtor Groups	Explores how demographic data is gathered and used in community planning.	Email Planning.
Development & Land Use Planning	Students: Grades 9-12 Groups: HOAs, Civic, Realtor Groups	Explores the strategies and policies that guide how land is used.	Email Planning.
Transportation Planning	Students: Grades 9-12 Groups: HOAs, Civic, Realtor Groups	Explores how Union County collaborates with local, regional and state partners on transportation planning initiatives.	Email Planning.

Procurement & Contract Management

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
How the Procurement Process Works	Groups: Businesses, Chamber of Commerce, Minority Outreach Programs	Designed to help businesses identify bid and project opportunities. Participants will receive a detailed overview of the procurement process.	Email Procurement.

Sheriff's Office

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Community Event Request	General Audience	Invite Union County Sheriff's Office to be part of your community event.	Request a Community Event.

Soil & Water Conservation

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Minerals, Rocks and Soils, Oh My!	Students: Grade 1	Students will explore the differences between rocks, soils and minerals through hands-on investigations of the materials.	Request a Free Program/Inquiry. Available during the school year.
Where Should Turtle Be?	Students: Grade 1	Students will learn that there are many different types (or species) of turtles, and that each one has their own special needs including food and habitat.	Request a Free Program/Inquiry. Available during the school year.
Life Cycles	Students: Grade 2	This program will introduce students to macroinvertebrates-insect species like the dragonfly that reside in water, much like a frog, until they become adults.	Request a Free Program/Inquiry. Available during the school year.
Dig into Soils!	Students: Grade 3	Students will learn about the differences in sand, silt and clay.	Request a Free Program/Inquiry. Available during the school year.
Every Tree for Itself	Students: Grade 3	Students will review the plant life cycle, and model how trees compete to meet their essential needs.	Request a Free Program/Inquiry. Available during the school year.
Animal Adaptations	Students: Grade 4	Students will learn about adaptations that allow different animal species to survive in specific habitats as ecosystems experience succession and change.	Request a Free Program/Inquiry. Available during the school year.
Web of Life	Students: Grade 5	Students will participate in an interactive food web game as they uncover the connections of producers to consumers to decomposers.	Request a Free Program/Inquiry. Available during the school year.
Professional Development	Groups: Formal and Non-Formal Educators	A professional development experience designed to enhance skills and empower professionals with strategies they can apply in their work.	Request a Free Program/Inquiry. Available during the school year.

Tax Administration

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Reappraisal Process	Groups: HOAs	Educates residents about the property reappraisal process, helping them to understand how and why property values are updated and what it means for their taxes.	Email Tax Administration. Available every four years during a reappraisal process.
Property Taxes	New Union County Residents Groups: HOAs Students: Grades 6-12, College	Helps residents to understand how property taxes are calculated, how they are determined and how to use the property portal.	Email Tax Administration.
Property Tax Relief Programs	Veterans/veterans with disabilities, their caregivers; Individuals living with disabilities; Builders	Informs residents about available property tax relief programs designed to ease the financial burden of property taxes.	Email Tax Administration.
Tax Listings (individual personal property, business personal property)	New Union County Residents Groups: HOAs, Businesses, accountants/financial professionals	Designed to help businesses understand the County's tax listing requirements and their role in maintaining accurate taxation.	Email Tax Administration. Available for the annual listing period.

Waste and Recycling

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
Integrated Solid Waste Management	Students: Grades 6-12	Explains how the County uses an integrated approach to manage solid waste in a safe and efficient way.	Email Waste and Recycling.
Recycling in Union County	Groups: HOA, Civic	Educates residents on how recycling works across the County and why it matters. Participants learn what materials can be recycled and how the sorting process works.	Email Waste and Recycling.

Water

TOPIC	AUDIENCE	DESCRIPTION	INTERESTED?
The Water Cycle	Students: Grades K-5	Classroom presentations that explain the water cycle while reading the book "Winn and Doug".	Email Water.
FOG (Fats, Oils & Grease)	Students: Grades K-12 Groups: HOA, Civic, Festivals/Events	Explores what is considered FOG and explains how knowing about FOG can help protect your home and the environment.	Email Water.
The Science of Water & Wastewater	Students: Grades 6-12	Classroom presentations that explore the science behind delivering clean drinking water and treating wastewater effectively.	Email Water.
Twelve Mile or Crooked Creek Water Reclamation Facilities	Students: Grades 6-12, College Groups: HOA, Professionals, Civic	A behind the scenes facility tour and education about the wastewater treatment process.	Email Water.
Utility and Environmental Impact	General Audience, Festivals	Focuses on how utility services support daily life while protecting the environment.	Email Water.
Water and Wastewater Careers	Students: Grades K-12, College	Introduces participants to the essential careers that protect the environment and safe wastewater management.	Email Water.
Yadkin River Water Treatment Plant	Students: Grades 6-12, College Groups: HOA, Professionals, Civic	A behind the scenes facility tour and education about the water treatment process.	Email Water.

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Department Educational Outreach Opportunities