Racial Equity and Social Justice

Summary of objective implementation status (achievements or progress over last year; significant delays or issues, etc.)

Since February 2023, the Office of Equity worked in partnership with the Steering Committee and Equity First Consulting to develop the County of Sonoma’s first Racial Equity Action Plan. The Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP) is an intentional road map, made up of strategies, action steps, and accountability mechanisms focused on the County internal systems, which 1) builds on equity work that is already happening within County departments, and 2) seeks to provide additional supports to further advance racial equity through enabling collaboration across County departments and consistency as an organization. 

A critical first piece in the REAP implementation is strategy 1, sub-strategy (a), which directs Department Heads to designate a Core Team 2.0 Liaison. The role of Core Team 2.0 Liaisons provides a big leadership opportunity in each department, and our partnership with Human Resources, through the LEAD program (formerly SoCo Higher), ensures that designated department Liaisons receive the support and tools needed to take on this important role for their department. Through this learning cohort, participants will first take part in hands-on professional and leadership development sessions (LEAD) before launching the implementation of the Racial Equity Action Plan in their departments as part of Core Team 2.0. The estimated time commitment for this Leadership Cohort is approximately 18 months.

Lastly, during June budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the Board of Supervisors approved a full-time allocation for a Racial Equity Programs Department Analyst to coordinate the implementation of the Action Plan.

Key milestone update (include relevant metrics, if applicable)

On May 17, 2024, the Office of Equity and the Core Team Steering Committee, in partnership with the Human Resources department, presented the Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP) to the Board of Supervisors (BOS). The Board Chambers were filled with County of Sonoma employees and Sonoma County community members, who spoke passionately about their experiences and their support for the Action Plan during public comment. The BOS adopted the Action Plan after the discussion, and on August 13, 2024, a final version was presented and accepted as part of the consent calendar.  

Coordination and partnership update

The Office of Equity is thankful for the collaboration, presence, and support of the staff and community members who made this work richer through the gifts of sharing their experiences.  Their deepest gratitude goes out to all the partners who have worked on and supported the development of the Racial Equity Action Plan. 

In order to address the recommendations from the REAP, the OOE and Human Resources (HR) are partnering to provide intensive professional development to the newest cohort of Core Team members, or Core Team 2.0, which will begin through Leaders Engaged in Authentic Development (LEAD), the HR Leadership program designed for executive leaders, who are committed to continuous improvement and people-centered leadership. This will launch the work of Core Team 2.0.

Community, equity and climate update

This first iteration of the Action Plan is focused on the County workforce. This strategic approach recognizes that County staff are integral members of the Sonoma County community and represent the broad range of experiences and identities of the communities that the County serves. By establishing the foundations to advance racial equity work within the organization, the OOE creates a strong backbone for generating transformative change in the broader community. 

A racial equity analysis was completed for the Racial Equity Action Plan in English and Spanish.

If this objective received Strategic Plan funding, please provide amount spent to date for non-position related funding.

The Office of Equity received $50,000 in ongoing Strategic Plan funds to continue the work of the Core Team.