Marin Continues Push For Equity

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Whether the pace at which Marin County’s push for equity has met the moment is open for debate.

But county officials insist they remain steadfast in their pursuit of a more equitable community and point to the launch of a new committee dedicated to promoting multiculturalism and anti-racist policies as an example of their commitment.

The Race Equity Planning Committee was formed in 2020 and conducted its first meeting in January 2021.

The committee's formation follows the Racial Equity Action Plan enacted more than four years ago.

The committee is a diverse working group of around 20 residents will spend the next year on the development of policies they will recommend to the Board of Supervisors in pursuit of that goal, county officials said.

“We are very excited about the committee because the participants will help the County identify equity priorities in Marin,” Assistant County Administrator Angela Nicholson said in a statement.

The Marin County Human Resources Department is among several agencies county officials said that have tangible results to show for.

Over the past five years, HR has evaluated its recruitment and staff retention practices to eliminate barriers in minimum qualifications for county positions and expand its recruitment outreach.

It recently added Workforce Equity Champions in all 22 department to deepen the commitment to inclusion and belonging.

By training employees at every level of the organization about equitable practices, the champions will help to ensure equitable programs and practices throughout the organization.

The HR staff is also working to implement a new bias identification technology tool.

BiasSync is a science-based solution designed to help organizations assess and manage unconscious bias in work environments.

The county is also working to bridge the “digital divide,” helping underserved residents who miss out on fair opportunities because of a lack of technological tools or skills.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital divide became very real for thousands of families when all classroom education was moved online, and many kids fell behind in distance learning.

The County’s Department of Information Services and Technology (IST) is collaborating with other agencies on projects in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael, West Marin, and Marin City to ensure everyone in Marin has reliable and affordable high-speed internet.

Public safety departments are focusing on equity as well.

The Marin County Fire Department is creating a wildfire prevention workforce program that trains and develops underserved, underrepresented, and underfunded adults throughout the county, officials said.

Recognizing traditional barriers to entering the fire service, the program will provide support in areas such as education, housing, and access to food.

“Our Office of Equity and the County Administrator’s Office is committed to addressing and rectifying longstanding biases, and to heal relationships with our most marginalized populations,” Nicholson said.

For more about equity measures in Marin check the County’s Equity Dashboard.

A March 22 presentation to the Board of Supervisors on the pursuit of a more equitable Marin County can be viewed here.

The board’s 2016 resolution affirming equity priorities at a meeting in which it took a stand against all forms of discrimination and intolerance can be viewed here.