Workforce Development

 

Embed principles that promote opportunities for all in BOC agencies through policy and practice.

Racial Equity Council

The Racial Equity Council (REC) was established by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners to embed equity and inclusion into the fabric of our organization. Since its inception, the Council has played a vital role in identifying and addressing disparities across policies, programs, and services within Board of Commissioners (BOC) agencies. Comprised of staff representatives from each of the Board of Commissioners’ agencies, REC members, known as DEI Champions, receive ongoing training in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) best practices and how to apply those practices within the council and throughout our organization. Since launching, we have cultivated a network of over 150 DEI Champions, each dedicated to fostering equity and accountability in their departments and throughout county government. In 2021, the Inaugural Racial Equity Council developed eleven recommendations to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of the Board of Commissioners. We are proud to share that 10 of those 11 recommendations have already been implemented, demonstrating our collective commitment to meaningful progress. As part of our continued effort to deepen our impact, the Council has led six community service projects in the past two years. These efforts have been carried out in collaboration with both community partners and internal Franklin County agencies, reflecting our belief that equity begins within and extends outward. The Racial Equity Council is more than a committee, it is a movement within Franklin County government to create lasting, equitable change for every resident, every day.

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Recommendations:

  1. Establish DEI standards and criteria for all Board of Commissioners agencies and community partners.
  2. Create council groups within other Agencies to help staff find their “why”, the “why” that they should care about this work, and to coordinate efforts across all agencies.
  3. Engage DEI Trauma Specialist to embed DEI within Franklin County.
  4. Review, revise and create trainings to build empathy, create safe spaces, and generate buy-in.
  5. Infuse recruitment and retention efforts with DEI best practices. Incorporate strategic recruitment tactics.
  6. Implement and maintain DEI standards into Board of Commissioners agencies.
  7. Enhance resident experience flow through all agencies. Make processes flow more efficient for county residents, where agencies work to remove barriers and assist residents to their final resolution.
  8. Showcase available resources available in the community to support all Franklin County partners. Join forces with team developing new community service portal for Franklin Co. residents to make equity recommendations and ideas for improvement.
  9. Evaluate external partnerships and build in equity expectations. We know it can be done. Partnership between equity and operations.
  10. Tell our story about how FC is engraining racial equity into operations and services through ongoing, transparent, communication with public and audiences.
  11. Engage DEI position to embed DEI into contract process throughout Franklin County.

Monthly Lunch & Learns:

Most Recent Lunch & Learn

to re-watch past Lunch & Learns

Culture and Inclusion Professional Development

We continue to engage Board of Commissioner in internal training that address implicit bias, cultural fluency, effective communication in difficult conversations and more. We also host community lunch and learn that provide education and awareness in various inclusive topics. Check out latest lunch learn and visit our calendar of events for upcoming community conversations.

Culture Climate Audit

In July 2021, the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion conducted Franklin County’s first Cultural Climate Audit.

Full CCA List

The CCA had four sections:

1) Demographics

2) Cultural Competence

3) Structural Accountability

4) Culture of Inclusivity

CCA Results were used to:

• Identify employee readiness and perception levels.

• Provide recommendations for Franklin County to implement based on where their employees are.

We strive for our Board of Commissioner staff to represent the community we serve.

Check out our employment opportunities at: Career Search

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