COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager’s Office

DATE:

October 16, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 3, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David S. Boesch, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Countywide Cultural Competence Standards

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution endorsing Countywide Cultural Competence Standards.

BACKGROUND:

In August 2007, the County Manager’s Office initiated a dialogue with representatives from departments across the organization to explore creating a countywide cultural competence framework. This dialogue resulted in the creation of the Countywide Cultural Competence Committee (CCCC). In June 2008, Jei Africa and Crispin Delgado from the Health System were identified to serve as co-moderators for the CCCC. Members from all departments were invited to participate.

Harder and Company and the National Community Development Institute were contracted to facilitate the initial dialogue among the committee members. The meetings were used to: identify department liaisons; develop a cultural competence framework; build a resource inventory by sharing departments’ cultural competence activities; identify the benefits and challenges to working at a countywide level; practice cultural competence exercises; and develop countywide standards. In March 2009, the draft standards were approved by Executive Council. The Committee continues to meet and has recently focused on creating performance measures to define, direct and track progress.

DISCUSSION:

Since 2007, substantial progress has been made in the areas of cultural competence and cross-departmental collaboration in our County, including the establishment of the Countywide Cultural Competence Committee and the development of a countywide framework and standards. The standards link to one or more of seven areas of focus: workforce development; policy; events; community engagement; collaboration; and education and training. Eventually, it is anticipated that each department will establish specific outcome based measures to track progress in these areas. Organizationwide progress in each of these areas will coincide with the County’s budget cycle, and shall be reported to the County Manager.

As the Countywide Cultural Competence Committee continues to meet over the next year, it will be important to facilitate and monitor implementation of the standards that evolve in each department. Representatives from the Health System and Committee are positioned and willing to provide technical assistance for other departments wanting to integrate promising practices.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Standards as to form.

Endorsing the Standards contributes to Shared Vision 2025 of a Collaborative Community, where leaders forge partnerships, inform and engage residents, and demonstrate fiscal stewardship by sustaining core services for future generations and for the most vulnerable members of our community.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2008-09
Actual

FY 2009-10
Projected

Percent of survey respondents who indicated training sessions provided information that will improve the quality of their work.

100%

100%

FISCAL IMPACT:

There are no Net County Costs associated with the approval of this resolution.