Equity Program

A-
A+

Location:
125 E 8th Ave
Eugene, OR 97401

Contact Information:
Latiffe Amado (she, her, ella)
Equity Program Manager
(541) 682-2475
[email protected]
About me

Shayna Higashi (she, her)
Equity Program Analyst
(541) 682-2475
[email protected]
About me

Interested in receiving periodic updates regarding our Equity Program?
Please complete this online form to be added to our email list.

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 towards identifying and dismantling systemic and cultural barriers that perpetuate inequality and creating 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 weaved into our policies, practices, and decision-making processes, and we actively work to dismantle systemic barriers and promote inclusion and belonging for all.

Racial Equity Plan:
The Lane County 2021-2022 Racial Equity Action Plan was adopted in January of 2021 following a robust engagement effort with staff of all levels, the Board of County Commissioners, and the Equity and Access Advisory Board. The plan includes the following three priorities:

Normalize racial equity through training and communication
Organize by strengthening the equity program
Operationalize racial equity through the establishment and implementation of an equity lens

Click here to see the Racial Equity Plan.

We are in the process of updating our equity strategic plan for 2023-2025. Coming soon!

How we got here:

1992-2012: Lane County had ongoing human rights efforts with an advisory body appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.
2014: Lane County received a community request to re-establish the Human Rights Advisory Committee.

2014: The County Administrator and Interim Director of Operations participated in a series of meetings with community members that led to a larger community conversation about needs and plans around human rights, equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, and what gaps the County had a role in filling.

2014: The top three priorities identified by community stakeholders were improving recruitment, retention and advancement, establishing a culture in Lane County that engages in courageous conversations, and institutionalizing equity work.

October 2015: The Board of County Commissioners approved a framework to create a Human Rights Advisory Board, institutionalize equity efforts, improve recruitment, selection, retention, and advancement, require annual equity and access training for Lane County employees, and engage community partners as an equity and service resource.

September 2016: Lane County hired an Equity and Access Coordinator.

February 2017: The Lane County Equity and Access Advisory Board was formed.

June 2018: Lane County Health and Human Services and County Administration brought forward a Health Equity Proposal that included making a public commitment to advancing equity in Lane County, developing a Health Equity Strategic Plan, and institutionalizing and embedding equity practices.

June 2019-February 2020: Nine County staff participated in the NW learning cohort through the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (G.A.R.E.).

Fall 2019: The GARE cohort, the County Commissioners, Department Directors, and the Equity and Education (E2) Committee attended a series of meetings to identify the top equity priorities for Lane County.

2022: The Equity Team was expanded to include both an Equity Manager and an Equity Program Analyst to help guide the work and priorities for Lane County.