Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At its Priority Setting Workshop in January of 2022, the City Council added Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a new priority goal for the next two years. Specifically, the City Council asked for staff DEI training and for a organizational evaluation of City policies and practices.

In November 2022, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with CPS HR Consulting for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) evaluation and consulting services. The initial evaluation and consulting services consisted of employee focus groups and survey assessment; one-on-one meetings with the Mayor and City Councilmembers; and a comprehensive policy review and analysis. CPS HR Consulting produced a written report on their findings and presented it to the City Council on June 13, 2023.

At its June 13 meeting, the City Council also approved various recommendations pertaining to the advancement of Claremont's DEI efforts:

  • Community forums will be held to receive feedback from citizens on the City's vision and initiatives as they relate to building a welcoming and inclusive community culture for all residents. These forums will be appropriately disbursed throughout all segments of the community and be inclusive of multiple cultures and multiple languages and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • A public study session of the City Council will be held to measure success on how the City is progressing in its DEI efforts. This study session will take place after the community forums are held so that the study session can effectively incorporate participant feedback.
  • City Councilmembers and City staff will participate in training on DEI topics such as cultural intelligence, crucial conversations, and managing conflict through the lens of equity.
  • CPS HR will continue to provide DEI consulting services to the City on its internal operations (i.e., human resources) and external operations (i.e., departmental services).

Staff will work with CPS HR Consulting and the City's Committee on Human Relations to identify a timeline for community DEI outreach and will continue to keep the public informed on how they can become involved in the City's ongoing efforts.

DEI Staff Training

In October and November, all City of Claremont employees participated in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Training facilitated by Claremont Lincoln University. Employees received information on DEI tools and how they can be applied in their daily work. Employees and managers learned how being inclusive and equitable leads to internal and community-wide success.

DEI Evaluation

The City Council also selected a consultant to conduct a DEI Evaluation. The DEI Evaluation will specifically look at policies, programs, and practices that directly or indirectly impact City staff and residents in regard to their race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, color, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or other socio-culturally significant factors.

This includes:

  • City policies and practices (including Personnel/Human Resources)
  • Municipal Code
  • City services
  • Community engagement
  • Internal and external communications
  • Program funding and expenses
  • City staff demographics

Deliverables resulting from the DEI Evaluation and Consulting Services will include:

  • CPS HR will conduct a DEI Alignment Session with members of the City's executive/leadership staff to establish an understanding of DEI and its link to the City's internal and external operations, and develop leadership DEI expectations and identify DEI concepts to address in focus groups with employees and other community stakeholders.
  • CPS HR will hold three to five DEI focus groups and provide an accurate assessment of the City's current practices and level of DEI competency through the use of the CPS HR DEI Assessment survey process.
  • CPS HR will review and evaluate the City's internal (employees) and external (community members) DEI operations. This includes policy/program review as well as conducting interviews with various employees and community members.
  • CPS HR will provide recommendations in the form of a DEI Action Plan based on the DEI Alignment Session and the outcomes of the focus groups/DEI Assessment. The DEI Action Plan will identify goals to address, potential benefits upon implementation, and the relationship to the City's overall priorities and needs. The actions will be prioritized in a way that is segmented into short-term, medium-term, and long-terms goals for the City.
  • Finally, CPS HR will prepare and present an overview of findings to accompany the DEI Action Plan, all of which will be presented to the City Council at a public meeting (ETA is June 2023). This presentation will highlight the City's strengths and identify areas that provide opportunities to further grow and develop.

For more information or to join the City's DEI Interest List, please sign up below or contact Assistant to the City Manager Katie Wand at (909) 399-5454 or KWand@ci.claremont.ca.us.

Sign Up to be on the DEI Interest List

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