Title
Vote on a request to Approve the Formation of a Countywide Community-Led Collaborative Partnership for Human Relations
Abstract
Action Requested: Vote on a request to approve the recommendations of the Human Relations Task Force to authorize the formation of a community-led human relations collaborative entity in Chatham County using the structure, mission, vision and roles outlined by the task force.
Introduction & Background: On January 16, 2018, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners appointed a temporary Human Relations Task Force charged with:
• Developing the framework for a community-based partnership, possibly with a structure like the Chatham Health Alliance, where the county serves as catalyst and may provide funding, but is not a traditional county committee.
• Agreeing on what to call the new community-based partnership.
• Developing a clear mission statement.
• Developing a proposed Steering Committee structure and appointment processes.
Beginning in March 2018, the Human Relations Task Force met in Pittsboro and Siler City eight times to do it work.
Identify initial resource needs: A draft budget for FY2019 is included in attached report.
Discussion & Analysis: The attached final report and a structure diagram include a thorough discussion of the work of the Human Relations Task Force, including differing opinions on what the county government’s role should be if we truly want a community-led collaboration. We believe that the task force’s work reflects a thoughtful consideration of different viewpoints, backgrounds and minority populations. Much like the rest of the state and nation, Chatham County has experienced increased divisions and angry rhetoric among segments of the population. These issues are too complex and deeply rooted to be addressed with a typical county-appointed board or committee. While we have several groups in the county working on related issues around specific concerns, such as racial and income disparities, we lack a unifying voice to lift up those already doing good work and to address vital gaps in these efforts. We believe that a collective impact model that involves a wide spectrum of individuals and organizations is best to help us make significant progress.
Attachments: Final Report from the Human Relations Task Force and a Diagram of the Proposed Structure
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan?
Human relations issues are reflected in several areas of the Comprehensive Plan, including:
• Economic Development: Recommendation 3 & 4, which includes a focus on start-up businesses, minority businesses and job opportunities for all.
• Housing: All of the strategies directly relate to affordable housing for all, regardless of age, income, race, disabilities, etc.
• Health: Health disparities are a major challenge for low-income and certain groups of residents. The task force would support the work of Chatham Health Alliance in this area to improve access to health care, healthy foods and places to exercise.
• Parks & Recreation: Recommendation 2 includes strategies to improve access to parks and recreational programs for all.
• Transportation: Lack of transportation is a major challenge for low-income and those living in remote parts of the county who can’t drive or don’t have a vehicle, which creates major disparity issues. Strategies in the Comp Plan directly address this issue.
Budgetary Impact: See attached full report. The staff coordinator duties will be handled by a new position in the County Manager’s Office already budgeted for this year, who will also work on nonprofit support. The final report includes other expected human relations work expenses for FY 2019-2020.
Recommendation: Provide feedback and motion to approve the recommendations of the Human Relations Task Force to support the formation of a community-led human relations collaborative, community-led partnership in Chatham County.