Minutes 01-18-2022 Virtual Business Meeting

Browse Search

7 6. Regular Agenda a. One Orange Countywide Racial Equity Framework The Board reviewed the updated Countywide Racial Equity Framework and considered approving this framework for moving forward with the multi-jurisdiction collaborative work on racial equity. BACKGROUND: In January 2021, the GARE Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force, One Orange, established subcommittees to work on each section of this framework. One Orange is comprised of Orange County staff along with staff from the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. The five multi-jurisdictional subcommittees are led by at least one jurisdictional member and include staff from each jurisdiction. The subcommittees are: • Training • Racial Equity Tool Kit, now more aptly named the Racial Equity Assessment Lens (REAL) • Community Engagement • Racial Equity Index • Evaluation and Accountability Through the work of these subcommittees, a draft framework was developed. One Orange is committed to creating a community where race no longer predicts life outcomes and was eager to share this information with the community for feedback. In June 2021, the Orange County Board of Commissioners received the Orange County Racial Equity Plan: A Framework for Moving Forward. Starting in June 2021, community outreach events were organized, the plan was shared with the community, and valuable feedback was received. In November 2021, a push for additional community engagement resulted in listening sessions at the Senior Center and The Refugee Support Center and the distribution of questionnaires at the DSS Annual Toy Chest event. One Orange utilized the feedback to refine the Racial Equity Framework. The One Orange Task Force is now presenting the revised framework to each jurisdiction's governing board requesting support for moving forward with this work. The Task Force believes the framework better describes the purpose of this work since specific plans are expected to come mostly from individual jurisdictions, although there may also be joint initiatives. The framework provides structure and oversight as each jurisdiction develops its individual strategies and plans to promote racial equity. The updated framework will be presented to Hillsborough on January 24, 2022, Chapel Hill on January 26, 2022, and Carrboro on February 1, 2022. Although there are no substantive changes to the framework, there are additional details about the community engagement and training pillars as well as updates to the staff members who are leading these efforts. The feedback from the community shows interest and support for this work and the need for action by all jurisdictions. Chair Price introduced Erica Bryant, Child Support Services Director, Sharron Hinton, Interim Human Rights and Relations Director, and Nancy Coston, Department of Social Services Director. Erica Bryant and Nancy Coston gave the following PowerPoint presentation: