King County Equity and Social Justice - Community Newsletter September 2016

King County, Washington sent this bulletin at 09/16/2016 09:34 AM PDT
equity_mast

September 2016

King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, 2016-2022

 

 

 

ESJ SP cover final

We are very proud to launch our first King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, 2016-2022. This plan builds on much of the good work that we and our partners have been doing to advance equity and racial justice in our region and pushes us to become more thoughtful, strategic and effective.

 

It's a six-year plan for King County to transform all operations to advance equity in key areas, including:

  • Climate and the environment
  • Child and youth development
  • Criminal justice
  • Digital equity
  • Health and human services
  • Housing
  • Jobs and economic development
  • Transportation

 

Other major components of the plan include six goal areas designed to advance pro-equity policies, systems, and practices in the County's major areas of governance: leadership, operations and services; plans, policies and budgets; workforce and workplace; community partnerships; communication and education; and facility and system improvements.

   

The Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan represents a critical opportunity for King County to do ground-breaking work by applying a theory of change that fundamentally shifts the County away from policies and practices that react to problems and crises toward investments that address the root causes of inequities, ultimately leading to better quality of life and greater prosperity in all of our communities.

 

Praise for King County's Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan

 

 

"By focusing on the needs of the most vulnerable and baking equity into every function of county government, King County’s Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan sets an important example for how local governments can build communities that allow everyone to participate and prosper."

 

-Angela Glover Blackwell, President and CEO, PolicyLink 
A Glover Blackwell

 

"Increasing evidence shows that economies that are more equitable achieve more sustainable long-run growth. King County’s Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan represents a leading example of how regions can advance policies and practices that contribute to expanded opportunity for all."

 

-Alan Berube, Senior Fellow and Deputy Director,

The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program 
A Berube

 

 

"King County needs to be responsive to and guided by voices in the community in order to be successful, and the Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan lays out a strong path for doing this and transforming local government. Just like many of us were involved in the development of this plan, community organizations and residents need to continue to be involved in improving how King County does all of its business, or else our communities lose."

 

-Sili Savusa, Co-Chair, Regional Equity Network, and Executive Director, White Center Community Development Association
S Savusa

 

 

"There is just so much that is right with this plan. The Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan is comprehensive, proactive, and allows opportunities for community input. It allows for leadership growth at all levels, and the long-term effect includes greater economic development for the County. I commend Executive Constantine and the King County Councilmembers for their vision."

 

-Nancy Backus, Auburn Mayor,

and President, Sound Cities Association 
N Backus