Our Equity Mission:
Lane County is a place where all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, socioeconomic status, or any other identity marker, have equal opportunities to live, work, and play. We work to identify and dismantle systemic and cultural barriers perpetuating inequality and create inclusive environments that foster diversity, equity, and belonging. Equity work recognizes that achieving true equity requires ongoing, intentional effort and a commitment to continuous learning, growth, and action.

How we are going about this work:
At Lane County, we strive for a just and equitable community where every resident has access to the resources and opportunities they need to live, work, and play. We believe that equity is not a stand-alone initiative, but a fundamental principle that must be embedded and integrated into every aspect of our work. Our commitment to equity is woven into our policies, practices, and decision-making processes, and we actively work to dismantle systemic barriers and promote inclusion and belonging for all.

2024-2027 Equity Strategic Plan (view document here)
Context: The Equity Strategic Plan builds on our ongoing commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. It aims to propel Lane County further toward more equitable governance, transitioning from our current Racial Equity Plan to the 2024-2027 Equity Strategic Plan.

It's important not to perceive every goal, strategy, or tactic as an entirely new idea; rather, view it as a comprehensive roadmap that focuses on bringing these various efforts together. Embracing a collective impact approach, this plan acknowledges that some strategies and initiatives may not be solely driven by the equity program and instead driven by other teams. Therefore, the perspectives and contributions of these individuals and teams were centered in creating this plan.

Process and Timeline: The 2024-2027 Equity Strategic Plan was collaboratively developed by various Lane County employees and groups. The plan is set for adoption in Fiscal Year 2024 (July) with a goal to complete it by the end of Fiscal Year 2027. An annual review will be presented to our executive leadership team to monitor progress.

Goals

1. Align our county-wide equity efforts.
2. Use disaggregated data to measure progress of equity efforts and for decision-making.
3. Cultivate a culture of belonging in which all employees, especially those from historically and currently underserved communities, can fully thrive and succeed.
4. Secure ongoing financing and effectively resource our equity work across the organization.
5. Foster an inclusive and equitable framework for community engagement and civic participation.