December 2018

Volunteers Needed! Exclusive New Website Opportunity 

Linn County will conduct user testing of its redesigned website prior to launching the new website to the public.This is your chance to get an inside look at the new Linn County website before the rest of the public and to be part of the team working to make sure the new site is user friendly.

Each participant will receive a $10 gift card.
 
The goal of user testing is to identify problems on the test website so we can improve the online experience for our customers and ensure the site is easy to use and allows visitors to complete important tasks from the first day that the site launches.
 
During user testing, participants will complete a series of predetermined tasks on our test website. The website will track participant clicks to see the path that a user takes to find information, see where they become confused or misguided, measure whether they successfully completed the tasks and how long it took them. This information will help inform navigation decisions.
 
We will have in-person and online test groups. We need eight people to participate in person for a one-hour, one-on-one session with a moderator. In-person tests will take place on January 16 and 17, 2019 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Linn County Jean Oxley Public Service Center, 935 2nd Street SW in Cedar Rapids. For optimal results, onsite tests will be voice-recorded.
 
We also need up to 40 people to complete a 30-minute online remote user test. For those who participate remotely, they can use any computer with internet access and will have 48 hours to complete the user test after receiving the test link via email. Instructions will appear on the screen and the user will complete each scenario without assistance. Online user testing will take place the week of January 14, 2019.
 
All user testing is done on a volunteer basis. Participants will be notified and onsite times will be scheduled directly with participants.
 
The redesigned website using customer input is one more way Linn County is focused on customer satisfaction.
 
Contact us to participate in user testing.
 
Thank you for helping us create a better website for you!

Website banner photo taken by Calcam AP.

Linn County Sheriff's Office Adds Inmate Search to Website

Linn County Offices Spreading Holiday Cheer

The Linn County Auditor's Office and Recorder's Office are in the holiday spirit. Staff from both departments donned their "ugly" holiday sweaters for some friendly competition.  

Employees within the building were invited to come, cast a ballot for their favorite sweaters and enjoy some holiday cheer. 

Happy Holidays from everyone at Linn County!

Input Needed for New Linn County Access Center

Planning is well underway to make a mental health access center in Linn County a reality. Access centers are a new concept in Iowa. They do not replace current service providers, but do provide immediate triage and screening, suicide assessment and safety planning, crisis stabilization and observation, subacute services, crisis psychiatric evaluations, substance abuse assessment and counseling, and care coordination and referrals.
 
The work group organizing the proposed Linn County access center includes representatives from Linn County government, local mental health and substance abuse service providers, health care, law enforcement and emergency services. The work group contracted for project management with RSM in Cedar Rapids.
 
The vision for the access center is to provide treatment for people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. It will help serve unmet crisis services needs for adults in our communities by providing timely and convenient 24/7 access. Hospitals, law enforcement and service providers have long identified the need for a setting more appropriate than jail or a hospital for people to receive crisis mental health and substance abuse services.  
 
Your opinions, ideas and honest input are critical to help ensure this very important initiative is a success.
 
Please complete and submit the survey questions by January 4, 2019. 
 
If you know others who may have valuable input, please forward this e-mail to them and ask for their response.
 
Your individual responses are confidential and no other survey participant will know who provided input. If you do not have input on a particular question, feel free to leave it blank. If you have any questions, please e-mail Scott Hauser with RSM at [email protected] or call 319-360-9123. 

Linn County Offices Closed for the Upcoming Holidays

• Monday, December 24 for Christmas Eve
• Tuesday, December 25 for Christmas
• Monday, December 31 for New Year's Eve
• Tuesday, January 1 for New Year's
• Monday, January 21 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services
• The Sheriff’s Office will be closed; however, continuous operations will be available for routine and emergency responses, including the Patrol Division, Communications Division and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911.
• LIFTS will run abbreviated routes on December 24 and 31 and January 21.

Find Us Online:

Website: LinnCounty.org
Twitter:    @LinnCounty
                       @LinnCoConserv

                                                                     @lc_elections
                                                                     @LCPublicHealth
                                                                     @LinnIASheriff