Title
a. Receive an oral update of Governing for Racial Equity as a strategy for County initiatives.
b. Consider approving a staff recommendation for a Special Board of Supervisors meeting dedicated to a half day in-depth orientation on the principles of Governing for Racial Equity.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive an oral update of Governing for Racial Equity as a strategy for County initiatives.
b. Consider approving a staff recommendation for a Special Board of Supervisors meeting dedicated to a half day in-depth orientation on the principles of Governing for Racial Equity.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Office of Community Engagement and Advocacy of the CAO functions as the Backbone Agency to the Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention Initiative (MCGVP) and a liaison between Monterey County departments, community based organizations, grass roots organizations and local municipalities to further advance local efforts to reduce youth and gang violence.
Governing for Racial Equity:
The goal of the MCGVP Initiative is to address the root causes and risk factors of violence through systemic and policy change as well as improved collective effort. As the MCGVP Initiative first sought to connect with other County Initiatives, the Health Department's Health in All Policies initiative certainly aligned with its objective to address health equity by incorporating health and wellbeing considerations into policy development for all sectors and in the County's general plan.
Research findings show that root causes of violence and gang involvement include racial and ethnic disparities and the lack of opportunities for academic and economic success. Risk factors for violence increase for ethnic minority populations living in disadvantaged communities are caused by societal and community characteristics, including economic deprivation, inequality and discrimination (Agnew, 1999). Considering th...
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