Office of Equity and Racial Justice: What We Do

Embedding Equity in County Operations

GARE Elements of Change for Racial Equity Diagram

As part of the Government Alliance on Racial Equity (GARE), OERJ is leading the County of San Diego's implementation of data-driven tools and processes that center equity throughout the organization. These interventions will help departments identify disparities in their services and operations and actively create plans to address them. OERJ also supports initiatives that address inequities on a systemic level across departments.

Below are some examples of how we are integrating GARE's elements of change for racial equity at the County of San Diego:

  • VISUALIZE: Add Equity and Belonging to County's top values and articulate commitment to disrupting the status quo of inequitable access and outcomes.
  • NORMALIZE: Convene and participate in working groups that cover topics such as Equity in Contracting, Gender Identity and Expression, and Alternatives to Incarceration. Develop and offer trainings related to racial equity, systemic issues, and anti-racism.
  • ORGANIZE: Recruit and train departmental Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Teams to carry out County's "Equity 2.0" vision. 
  • OPERATIONALIZE: Develop tools such as Board Letter Equity Impact Statements and Budget Equity Questionnaires that help departments weave equity into their operational and programmatic planning.

Programs & Initiatives

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  • Equity Indicators

    A baseline assessment of 34 indicators of well-being and belonging that will serve as measures of the County's progress in achieving its equity vision. The first report was released in February 2024.

    Visit the Equity Indicators Report page and the County data portal to learn more!

  • Equity Impact Grant

    In 2024, OERJ and The Non-Profit Institute at University of San Diego (NPI) are launching a pilot program that will grant $100,000 in general operating funds to 10 San Diego-based organizations working to address the impacts of systemic racism. To make the most impact, the Equity Impact Grant (EIG) program will target organizations with fewer than five employees and an operating budget of less than $500,000. During the year-long cohort, NPI will offer workshops and coaching from NPI on topics like nonprofit governance, social change and innovation, fundraising, and organizational resiliency.  Learn more at the Equity Impact Grant program page.

  • Socially Equitable Cannabis Program

    OERJ is leading efforts to establish a Social Equity Program to assist cannabis business-owners from communities historically impacted by criminalization to successfully gain entry to and operate in the regulated market. This is part of the County's Socially Equitable Cannabis Program for the unincorporated territories.

  • Intersectional Gender Equity

    OERJ is collaborating with the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls to develop intersectional gender equity action plans at the County level. This work is part of the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), an international treaty that was approved locally via a 2022 ordinance.

  • Partner & Strategy Circle

    A monthly meeting of representatives from community-based organizations, OERJ, and the City of San Diego's Department of Race and Equity to build trust and community. 

  • Sponsorships

    We appreciate your interest in an OERJ sponsorship!

    Unfortunately, we have already committed all our funding for this fiscal year.  We hope to reopen our application site as soon as more funds become available. We value the work you and your organization do in our community and hope to collaborate with you in the future.

    Questions? Email us at OERJ@sdcounty.ca.gov. 

    OERJ supports community organizations through event sponsorships. Learn more about our sponsorship guidelines.

  • JEDI's

    On April 6, 2021 (17), the Board of Supervisors received the report back on the Framework for Creating an Equitable County Government Through the Lens of Equity, Racial Justice, and Belonging. As part of that action, Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI) teams were established in each department to lead the implementation of the County’s equity, racial justice, and belonging efforts under this framework. Adopting the Government Alliance on Race and Equity’s model for racial equity core teams, each of the County’s JEDI teams consists of formal and informal leaders authorized to have a leading role in operationalizing the County’s commitment to equity, racial justice, and belonging, including through the implementation of a variety of tools such as Equity Impact Statements in Board Letters. JEDI teams collaborate within and across departments in support of creating more equitable programs, policies, and outcomes. 

    Please check out our one-pager for more information.

County of San Diego Leon L. Williams Human Relations Commission

 

OERJ provides administrative support to the Leon L. Williams Human Relations Commission, which was reestablished in 2020 to promote positive human relations, respect, and the integrity of every individual regardless of gender, religion, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or citizenship status.