Sneak preview of the DEI Commission's recommendations to the city of Staunton
STAUNTON — Staunton's infrastructure, development, public transportation, and childcare all fell within the focus of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission in the last 18 months, and many of its recommendations to the city will be tied to how all of the above can promote and strengthen opportunities for everyone in Staunton.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commission was appointed in May 2022 with a charge to objectively look at existing data, studies, and reports from available sources concerning social and racial equity in Staunton that evaluate social determinants and inequitable outcomes within the city.
Since that time, the DEI Commission collected and analyzed the data and hosted community listening sessions among its other work. A final report from the commission is due to city council in December. The report will include data analysis of all available studies and reports, a summary of public comments, specific recommendations to council and a framework for future commission.
On Wednesday night, Oct. 25, the commission presented its preliminary findings and recommendations during a public hearing at the Rita S. Wilson Council Chambers. You can read a summary draft of the findings and recommendations here.
If you have questions or suggestions for the DEI Commission, email dei@ci.staunton.va.us or visit its website.
Among the recommendations that will go to the city is a need to continue the work that this commission started, something Sabrina Burress, the commission chair, said was apparent through a majority of community conversations. She also said the commission would recommend the city hire or appoint a DEI office as part of city staff to help continue this work.
Among the other recommendations include:
Economic Vitality
Expanding transportation services designed to specifically address and account for the city's diverse community members in order to increase employment and economic opportunities.
Ensure equitable access to multiple transit options.
Refocus growth around public transportation and existing development so that all residents can participate in the local economy, while protecting current residents from the potential for displacement. Transportation opportunities should link all communities with major employment centers.
Examine bus route designs to ensure proper connection to employment areas, hospital and service providers and grocery centers, and expand service hours to Sundays and evenings.
Explore and invest in micro-transit opportunities that offer on-demand availability for vulnerable populations, or those living in areas not serviced by current transit routes.
The city government should review hiring practices, procedures and explore recruitment strategies to attract minority applicants.
The city government should develop and maintain a list of minority owned businesses within Staunton and consider specific resource allocations for minority owned businesses.
Expand industry and small businesses that will increase opportunities throughout the city.
Deepen the partnership with the regional small business development office to provide education, resources and guidance to the city’s small businesses and aspiring businesses
Readiness & Well-Being
Conduct or participate in a needs assessment on childcare to have a full understanding of the current childcare needs of city community members, including affordability of care, living wages for providers, and access to benefits.
Create opportunities and sufficient infrastructure for safe cycling and walking to jobs, businesses, and grocery stores
Encourage mentoring opportunities (especially with Mary Baldwin University) and opportunities for youth.
Develop policies and programs that consider and address the multiple factors related to health access, physical health, and mental health outcomes in our community (income, children and childcare, race, crime, stigma, age, transportation, and housing insecurity).
Foster collaboration and coordination between local programs and service providers, including developing an understanding of how the city can support the work of these programs
Build community awareness and education surrounding issues related to health, what health services are available, and how to access those health services.
Identify ways to partner with Staunton City Schools to support the city’s children and families.
Connectedness
Assess and better understand how to improve the performance of 2-1-1 (local resources through the Virginia Department of Social Services), and community access and utilization.
Address inclusive communication gaps related to the need for inclusive language access and technology needs.
Leverage existing outreach networks, including community health workers and outreach events already conducted by community agencies.
Build community awareness of diverse lived experiences of Staunton residents and community needs
Engage community members with lived experience and community stakeholders and agencies with subject matter expertise to build and maintain trust
Evaluate the City of Staunton’s Comprehensive Plan 2018-2040 to ensure the actions are people focused and directly address the social factors highlighted within this report.
Support a collaboration of local organizations to address housing issues within Staunton.
Review local codes and ordinances that can assist in the creation and maintenance of affordable, safe housing for residents.
Continue to support the efforts to revitalize Uniontown and the West End.
More: One bad reading triggers the unsafe list for swimming in Shenandoah waters
More: Jeff Fife stepping down as Waynesboro YMCA's executive director
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Childcare, well-being and connectedness all figure in to DEI commission's recommendations to Staunton
