DESJ Statement Regarding Racial Injustice​

We pledge our solidarity with Black communities in Santa Clara County and​ across the country experiencing pain and grief. We condemn the racialized violence against George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless other Black people at the hands of law enforcement officers. To better understand the depths of the injuries of the present, we must acknowledge the histories of systemic racial injustices and the role government institutions continue to play. As the Division of Equity and Social Justice, this is our mandate, and these issues cut across the work of all of our Offices.

Today’s voices of protest and outrage are calling us to step up, and as a government division, we must hold ourselves accountable as public servants to do more. We know that change and transformation take place by collective action, deliberate commitment, and inclusive voices, and we add ours to those already before us. We recognize this statement must be backed up with actions. This is not going to be easy to address and dismantle, and it cannot be done alone and overnight. As allies, we must support our Black communities looking for answers and demanding change.

We turn to the County of Santa Clara’s mission “to plan for the needs of a dynamic community, provide quality services, and promote a healthy, safe, and prosperous community for all.” We commit to examining policies and working in the community to serve this mission in its full capacity.

In Solidarity,

The Division of Equity and Social Justice: Office of the Census, Office of Cultural Competency, Office of Gender-B​ased Violence Prevention, Office of Immigrant Relations, Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Office of Women’s Policy

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For information and resources to aide families during the COVID-19 pandemic, please see the resource page located here

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Update Regarding County Services During Coronavirus​

www.sccgov.org/sites/opa/opa/covid19​​

Amid ongoing concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Division of Equity & Social Justice (DESJ) is following the directives received from the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department and is closely monitoring the latest reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Based on those directives and guidelines, DESJ has taken number of precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of our staff and residents. Such measures include placing on hold any activities, including meetings, workshops, or other face-to-face gatherings, and, to the extent possible, providing services remotely.

Please refer to the following Division of Equity and Social Justice contact list for any further information:

Division of Equity & Social Justice: Betty Duong - [email protected]  or [email protected] 

Office of Cultural Competency: Arcel Blume - [email protected] 

Office of Census 2020: Nick Kuwada - [email protected] 

Office of Gender Based Violence Prevention: Carla Collins - [email protected] 

Office of LGBTQ Affairs: Maribel Martinez -  [email protected]​ 

Office of Immigrant Relations: Zelica Rodriguez-Deams –  [email protected]

Office of Labor Standard Enforcement: Jessie Yu -  [email protected]

Office of Women Policy: Protima Pandey - [email protected]​

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Census 2020

We're doing our part for Census 2020! Are you? Be sure to check out the County of Santa Clara's Census 2020 page for more information.

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The Office of the County Executive, as a policy representative of the Board of Supervisors, recognizes that an important driver of the condition of disparate representation of children of color within children’s services in the County is poverty and the resultant lack of opportunity that occurs within the social milieu of Santa Clara County. We also recognize that the disparity affects a large number of Latino Children, and a statistically high percentage of African American children.

The solution to this problem is beyond the efforts of any one or two County departments. A centrally led, cross departmental effort are required to ensure any hope of success. We also recognize that the communities of color are not homogeneous and many potential disparate groups within the community may respond more effectively to alternative approaches.

The Office of Cultural Competency (OCC) was created in response to these needs, and will be responsible for county wide implementation of policies and programs that address racial and ethnic disparity that currently exists within County services. The OCC works with County agencies and departments to create, enhance, and consolidate cultural and linguistic competency planning and strategies into a centrally led strategic plan. These mandates will assure that County services are culturally pertinent, linguistically accessible, and assure issues of equity are dealt with in a manner that adheres to programmatic requirements and addresses equity as a critical priority countywide.

The Office will work to eliminate disparity not only as it relates directly to client populations, but also disparity within both internal and external service providers. The Director of the Office of Cultural Competency will work closely with the County Executive, the Board of Supervisors, and appropriate community members in this effort.

Vision

To promote a community where cultural understanding and equality are shared values.

Our Mission

To use innovative and local practices through cultural and linguistic expertise to build partnerships with all communities in Santa Clara County to improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

Our Strategies

• Serves as a bridge between County and community to ensure community driven priorities and input are heard and is present in policy-making
• Lead the Intercultural Competency Advisory Council to discuss and formulate recommendations for programmatic changes or development of alternative approaches that positively impact disparate groups within the County
• Forge collaborations and partnerships between government, non-profit communities, communities of faith, and the private sector