Franklin County Renews Cultural Fluency Training for County Employees

Published on April 14, 2026

Franklin County Board of Commissioners | Office of Economic Engagement and Community Development

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $60,000 professional services agreement with the Columbus Council on World Affairs at its April 14, 2026 General Session, continuing a multi-year partnership to provide cultural fluency training for Franklin County government employees.

Under the one-year agreement, the Columbus Council on World Affairs will offer two virtual training sessions per month. Each session runs two and a half hours and serves up to 30 employees. The interactive curriculum is designed to strengthen cultural awareness, improve communication across differences, and equip staff to more effectively serve Franklin County's increasingly diverse population.

Andrena Austin, Director of Economic Engagement and Community Development, told the Board that the Columbus Council on World Affairs has provided this training to more than 1,000 county employees over several years. She shared feedback from past participants, including county staffers who said the sessions put things into perspective and left them with practical approaches for engaging with diverse communities in their everyday work.

Austin said the agreement aligns with the county's Rise Together Poverty Blueprint goals focused on community engagement and workforce development. The funding supports the county's ongoing commitment to equipping its workforce to meet residents where they are.

The Board voted unanimously to approve Resolution 232-26.