Martin CARES program opens registration and schedules Feb. 27 open house at Blake Library

Martin CARES, a six-week civic-engagement program run by Martin County, is accepting registrations for its next session and will host a CARES open house on Feb. 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Blake Library, county communications hosts said in a podcast summary of a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting.

The program meets one Thursday each week and offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at local government, including presentations from department directors and constitutionally elected officials and sessions on county budgeting and services. The open house is intended for residents who cannot commit to the full six-week program and will include indoor department tables as well as a "touch-a-truck" feature with county vehicles, public works equipment and other demonstrations to engage families and children.

Registration for the CARES program's second session was open at the time of the podcast summary. The county said it would publish registration links and additional details on its website and in the podcast show notes. No cost, registration deadlines or participant eligibility criteria were included in the audio excerpt.