 | LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH |
| Policy 105.02 Departmental Social Media Accounts Creation and Oversight Policy |
| Policy Category: Administrative |
| Distribution Level: Directly-Operated Programs |
| Responsible Party: Public Information Office |
| Approval completed on Apr 01, 2026 |
| I. PURPOSE |
| To ensure oversight, maintenance and operation of all official department-created social media accounts and platforms are centralized to the Public Information Office. |
| II. DEFINITION |
| Social Media: Internet-based platforms and apps (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, X, etc.) that allow users to create content (e.g., posts, photos, videos, etc.), share information and interact in online communities. |
| III. POLICY |
| The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) Public Information Office (PIO) shall be acting as the main administrator and primary operator of the Department’s social media accounts. New and existing social media accounts created on behalf of the Department shall be under the supervision and operation of the PIO to ensure professional integrity and consistency in messaging. Existing LACDMH social media accounts and their current administrators shall provide the PIO team with administrative access to the accounts. Only LACDMH PIO team members may create new social media accounts on behalf of the Department, if needed, and after discussion with the internal subject matter experts related to the accounts who will provide approved content for posting and distribution onto the platforms. Official LACDMH social media accounts shall clearly identify itself as the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and state that it is not operated or monitored 24 hours a day and must list the Department’s contact information which may include e-mail address, street address, phone number, 24/7 Help Line number, emergency numbers and website address. Social media content is considered public information and is subject to Public Records Act requests, per Policy 104.01 - Access to Public Records. Comments on social media accounts are protected by the First Amendment. LACDMH staff who wish to make suggestions for social media content may do so by e-mailing the PIO team at pio@dmh.lacounty.gov. |
| IV. PROCEDURES |
| There are no procedures associated with this policy. |
| V. AUTHORITY |
| Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Public Information Office |
| VI. ATTACHMENTS |
| There are no attachments associated with this policy. |