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12 <br /> Meeting Summary <br /> January 30, 2019 <br /> Page 3 <br /> o For example, we have shared this material with Navigators for Orange County Family <br /> Success Alliance. <br /> In addition, OWASA continued to invite customers to contribute to Care to Share, the customer <br /> assistance program administered in partnership with the Interfaith Council for Social Services <br /> (IFC). In 2018, on-bill contributions totaled over$7,650, representing a 44% increase over the <br /> year before (about $2,350 more). Individuals and businesses also donated $790 directly to IFC to <br /> support Care to Share. These combined customer, individual, and business contributions <br /> provided funding for approximately 64% of utility bill assistance needs that IFC administered to <br /> families in 2018. We will continue to promote the Care to Share program and encourage <br /> increased donations to the program. <br /> The OWASA Board of Directors approved a Plan for Year 4,which includes the promotion of <br /> the Agua Vista web portal as valuable affordability tool and integration into existing efforts, such <br /> as the Orange County Home Preservation Coalition. <br /> They noted that Orange County Housing has an Urgent Repair program that would benefit from <br /> knowing of homes needing repairs to address water use. <br /> Diversity and Inclusion <br /> Ray DuBose said for the past two plus years, OWASA has developed and implemented a <br /> Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Program which has two goals: <br /> 1) to foster diversity in our workforce reflecting the communities we serve, and <br /> 2) enable an inclusive environment that encourages and supports each team member to <br /> contribute to their full ability towards OWASA's mission. <br /> With the assistance of a consultant, employee teams have been formed to guide and support the <br /> D&I work to include: <br /> • mandatory supervisory training <br /> • voluntary employee training <br /> • improving procedures for recruitment and selection of new employees <br /> • promoting an inclusive work culture <br /> The Board of Directors have also had training sessions with the consultant and continues to <br /> monitor and support staff s D&I work. <br /> Penny Rich and Mark Marcoplos expressed their support for this important work. <br /> OWASA's Annual Update for the BOCC on February 19, 2019 <br /> Penny Rich and Mark Marcoplos suggested that Ray DuBose and/or Jody Eimers provide a 10 <br /> minute or less presentation about the following topics at the February 19, 2019 BOCC meeting: <br />