Racial and Health Equity
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department holds a longstanding commitment to health equity, and in 2015, identified Advancing Racial and Health Equity to Eliminate Health Disparities as a strategic priority in its Strategic Plan. The goal is to strengthen department program, services, and policies to address Racial and Health Equity by implementing the following:
Workplan
By participation in GARE, we completed an organizational assessment helping to develop a robust racial and health equity work plan, outlining strategies to normalize conversations about race, organize the Department to achieve racial equity, and operationalize new policies, programs, and budgetary decisions for 2018 and 2019 using a racial equity lens.
Learning Institutions
The institute consists of 6 workshops, ranging from 1.5 to 4 hours on the following topics:
- Introduction to Racial and Health Equity
- Structural Racism 101
- LGBTQ Health
- Climate Change
- Cultural Humility and Competency
- Community Engagement
GARE
Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) is grounded in best practice and evidence-based principles for advancing institutional and structural equity. In order to strengthen and advance our Racial and Health Equity work, we are participating in the GARE working to advance racial equity and transforming government systems with a year-long training institute.
Committees & Workshops
We developed a cross-department racial and health equity steering committee to expand understanding of and application of principles and practices to achieve racial and health equity.&
We are convening a workforce equity team to create a workplace culture where racial equity is valued and operationalized in order to establish a pipeline program to diversify the workforce.
For More Information Contact:
Maritza Rodriguez, Racial Health Equity Program Manager III
Email: [email protected]