Agenda - 05-18-2004-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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l~ ACTIONS PROPOSED BY THE HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION TO THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AS FOLLOW UP TO FORUM 2003 Despite the giant step forward with the landmark Brown decision, equality in the economic marketplace, health care arena, and classroom remains elusive for many African-Americans in our country, including those in Orange County. Forum 2003 may be remembered as a day with more questions raised than answers given. But it arguably provided valuable time from the norm to challenge and consider how far Orange Council as a local community has come in attitudes, beliefs, and aspirations. It gave a unique opportunity for teachers, students, public officials, business leaders and the non-profit community, and concerned citizens to listen, linger, and learn together. The Human Services Advisory Commission, with its own impressions and reflections on the day, thinks it important to offer some recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners and conununity at lazge as a result of the day's discoveries and developments. These recommendations are not meant to be all encompassing and neither do they possess any magic properties. They are; however, presented with the simple belief that the greatest strategies and solutions rest in looking ahead, in unison, with even greater resolve. Brown was,just the opening door to the great tasks that still lie ahead, In submitting this final report, the Human Services Advisory Commission wishes to thank the Orange County Boazd of Commissioners for their continued support and help in establishing the Forum as the signature event each fall for learning, networking, and deliberating on human services issues within the greater community. A copy of this report will be shared with all Forum participants, entities referenced in the recommendations, and other interested parties. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY Irr recognition that income levels influence health options and educational choices, call upon the BOCC to continue its discussion of adopting a "Social .lustice" goal for Orange County that would give special emphasis and encouragement to other county employers to emulate "model employer practices" such as, affirmative hiring policies, a living wage, health benefits for part-time employees, and continuous employee education and training,.