Youth Services Diversity Plan

Lane County Youth Services Department
Diversity Strategies

I. Demonstrate commitment to diversity as a priority.

A. Develop and implement recruitment/hiring/retention process
to increase the diversity of staff at Youth Services.

                    1.    Develop minority professional internship program.
                    2.   Meet with organizations that represent diverse
                          populations to
                          interest in eligibility for jobs in the Department.
                    3.   Participate in annual conference on getting a job in
                          law enforcement / corrections.
                    4.   Encourage interest by practicum students and
                          volunteers from diverse populations.
                    5.   Work to improve processes.

                                    a. Recruitment
                                            1. Review Current Process
                                            2. Background, Public Relations
                                            3. Questions
                                            4. Posting/Publicizing

                                    b. Hiring
                                            1. Policy
                                            2. Screening/Interview
                                            3. Composition of Screening/Interview
                                                Panel

                                    c. Retention

B. Fully fund the Minority Advocate Program.

C. Support the recommendations of the Diversity Committee.

D. Establish ways to include the families at key points in the service
delivery process (Intake, Detention, Probation, etc.)

II. Develop a department-wide method to encourage dialog about
diversity that eads to action.

A. Establish DYS as a hate free zone.

        B. Model "How to say it" and "How to listen/respond." Encourage
           open, accepting dialog in conducting department business/problem
            - solving.

C. Develop necessary communication vehicles.

                    1.     Glossary of agreed-upon terms.
                    2.     Key documents translated.
                    3.     Voice mail messages translated.

III.    Ensure that the contracting process provides appropriates services
          for diverse populations.

        A. Include selection criteria regarding diverse populations
            (develop a contracting template).

        B. Monitor performance measures regarding services to diverse
            populations.