Registration Update

The 2025 CARES Program is now closed.

Dates and registration for the 2026 CARES Program will be available in fall 2025. Please check back for updates.

About

Public Works staff demonstrate traffic signals

Martin CARES (Citizens Academy and Resource Education Series) is an award-winning program that offers a behind-the-scenes look at Martin County government.

Over a six-week period, participants will enjoy a variety of field trips to Martin County facilities, such as our beautiful parks and beaches, historic sites, libraries, and our Emergency Operations Center.

Citizens will also visit completed infrastructure and water quality projects, and will hear from departments under the Board of County Commissioners, as well as Martin County's Constitutional Officers.

The program is typically held twice each year, with sessions in January and March. 

WHY CARES?

Martin County Sheriff's Office helicopter

We want to familiarize residents with the function and purpose of Martin County government, thus increasing citizen awareness of the variety of services offered by local government.

Through Martin CARES, participants will personally get to know the men and women who oversee the day-to-day operation of the departments that provide key services such as roads, water and sewer, parks, emergency medical services, and law enforcement.

Upon completing the program, participants will have a deeper understanding of how County government works, and will be better equipped to share that knowledge with others in their community.

Program Details

Martin CARES sessions run for six weeks and feature a mix of field trips and presentations held once weekly. Each class begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m., including a “working” lunch.

  • No cost to participate – snacks and lunch provided
  • Air-conditioned coach transportation provided for field visits

Note: Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by Martin County Board of County Commissioners' employees or elected officials is subject to disclosure to the public and the media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.