Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

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Weigh in on the City of Missoula's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) efforts.

The JEDI Resolution was passed by City Council on Monday, August 16th, 2021, establishing the City’s commitment to JEDI and an important first step in our JEDI efforts. Read the adopted resolution in the attached documents section to the right.


The City is committed to supporting residents and local businesses through strong partnerships, collaboration, and the provision of services that create the greatest degree of equal opportunity. This is better achieved when working through an equity lens. By working with and listening to residents from every background, non-profits, and local governments, we will together enjoy a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive Missoula--free of systemic and structural inequalities--where our community is connected and honors our individualities. A healthy and vibrant community where we are welcomed and valued and our physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs are met.

When we apply or provide resources through a lens of equity, the overall benefit to our community, economy, and environment is the greatest. When we invest in equality regardless of need, we continue to grow disparities that erode the middle class. Policies designed to address disparities for one group can improve access for all groups.

Examples of Equity in Action

Many examples of equity work already being done in the Missoula community illustrate how working to reduce challenges for some increases opportunities for all. From organizations like Zero to Five Missoula County, Missoula Invest Health, Reaching Home, and others, most of these examples contain a strong public engagement element, where Missoulians were surveyed or directly asked what affects them most when it comes to their quality of life. Strong community involvement will be a part of the outcomes of the JEDI Resolution. Learn more about Examples of Equity in Action in the attached documents section at the right.

Background

Missoula is one of seven cities in the country selected to be a part of the National League of Cities, Cities of Opportunity: Turning Crisis Into Pathways to Equity and Resiliency Cohort 2021. The NLC provides technical assistance, resources, and guidance to our cohort. The City, and each partner, develops their own path and goals. The City of Missoula, Missoula County, Missoula City-County Health Department and Partnership Health Center, All Nations Health Center, the University of Montana, and Missoula County Public Schools are working together to support JEDI efforts.

The first major action taken by the National League of Cities cohort is to adopt a JEDI resolution, one at the City of Missoula and a parallel resolution at Missoula County. The Board of County Commissioners considered the resolution on July 22, 2021. The City of Missoula City Council Committee of the Whole considered the JEDI Resolution on July 28, 2021.

View the PowerPoint as presented at the City Council Committee of the Whole on July 28 in the attached documents section to the right. The JEDI Resolution was held in committee to provide Missoula residents an opportunity to provide feedback. It was adopted on August 16, 2021.

Make your voice heard at Engage Missoula. You can leave comments or answer a few short questions below.

 

JEDI Advisory Board

The City of Missoula will serve as a partner on Missoula County's JEDI Advisory Board workgroup, which will form the JEDI Advisory Board. The JEDI Advisory Board will help facilitate County and City JEDI efforts, provide greater connection and access to all populations, and perform other duties to be determined by the workgroup.

The purpose of developing a JEDI Advisory Board is to create a community-driven advisory structure within Missoula’s local government comprised of community experts of diverse backgrounds, fields, and experiences to inform, support, align, and hold accountable Missoula City-County strategies and outcomes related to ensuring that all Missoula County residents have equitable and just access to the resources that they need for their health, social, economic, and educational well-being.

The JEDI Advisory Board is currently being developed by a team of community members representing a broad array of personal and professional identities, expertise, and experiences. The development team’s primary goals are to:

Identify and define the JEDI Advisory Board’s scope of work

Define the structure of the advisory board

Develop and execute the JEDI Advisory Board’s recruitment and application plan

Support the onboarding of the JEDI Advisory Board


Stay Informed

The justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion process is at the beginning. Understanding where an investment of resources through a lens of equity will have the greatest return on investment necessitates that Missoula residents participate in the process.

Please consider subscribing to receive updates on how else to engage in the City's JEDI efforts at the STAY INFORMED button at the right.

Weigh in on the City of Missoula's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) efforts.

The JEDI Resolution was passed by City Council on Monday, August 16th, 2021, establishing the City’s commitment to JEDI and an important first step in our JEDI efforts. Read the adopted resolution in the attached documents section to the right.


The City is committed to supporting residents and local businesses through strong partnerships, collaboration, and the provision of services that create the greatest degree of equal opportunity. This is better achieved when working through an equity lens. By working with and listening to residents from every background, non-profits, and local governments, we will together enjoy a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive Missoula--free of systemic and structural inequalities--where our community is connected and honors our individualities. A healthy and vibrant community where we are welcomed and valued and our physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs are met.

When we apply or provide resources through a lens of equity, the overall benefit to our community, economy, and environment is the greatest. When we invest in equality regardless of need, we continue to grow disparities that erode the middle class. Policies designed to address disparities for one group can improve access for all groups.

Examples of Equity in Action

Many examples of equity work already being done in the Missoula community illustrate how working to reduce challenges for some increases opportunities for all. From organizations like Zero to Five Missoula County, Missoula Invest Health, Reaching Home, and others, most of these examples contain a strong public engagement element, where Missoulians were surveyed or directly asked what affects them most when it comes to their quality of life. Strong community involvement will be a part of the outcomes of the JEDI Resolution. Learn more about Examples of Equity in Action in the attached documents section at the right.

Background

Missoula is one of seven cities in the country selected to be a part of the National League of Cities, Cities of Opportunity: Turning Crisis Into Pathways to Equity and Resiliency Cohort 2021. The NLC provides technical assistance, resources, and guidance to our cohort. The City, and each partner, develops their own path and goals. The City of Missoula, Missoula County, Missoula City-County Health Department and Partnership Health Center, All Nations Health Center, the University of Montana, and Missoula County Public Schools are working together to support JEDI efforts.

The first major action taken by the National League of Cities cohort is to adopt a JEDI resolution, one at the City of Missoula and a parallel resolution at Missoula County. The Board of County Commissioners considered the resolution on July 22, 2021. The City of Missoula City Council Committee of the Whole considered the JEDI Resolution on July 28, 2021.

View the PowerPoint as presented at the City Council Committee of the Whole on July 28 in the attached documents section to the right. The JEDI Resolution was held in committee to provide Missoula residents an opportunity to provide feedback. It was adopted on August 16, 2021.

Make your voice heard at Engage Missoula. You can leave comments or answer a few short questions below.

 

JEDI Advisory Board

The City of Missoula will serve as a partner on Missoula County's JEDI Advisory Board workgroup, which will form the JEDI Advisory Board. The JEDI Advisory Board will help facilitate County and City JEDI efforts, provide greater connection and access to all populations, and perform other duties to be determined by the workgroup.

The purpose of developing a JEDI Advisory Board is to create a community-driven advisory structure within Missoula’s local government comprised of community experts of diverse backgrounds, fields, and experiences to inform, support, align, and hold accountable Missoula City-County strategies and outcomes related to ensuring that all Missoula County residents have equitable and just access to the resources that they need for their health, social, economic, and educational well-being.

The JEDI Advisory Board is currently being developed by a team of community members representing a broad array of personal and professional identities, expertise, and experiences. The development team’s primary goals are to:

Identify and define the JEDI Advisory Board’s scope of work

Define the structure of the advisory board

Develop and execute the JEDI Advisory Board’s recruitment and application plan

Support the onboarding of the JEDI Advisory Board


Stay Informed

The justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion process is at the beginning. Understanding where an investment of resources through a lens of equity will have the greatest return on investment necessitates that Missoula residents participate in the process.

Please consider subscribing to receive updates on how else to engage in the City's JEDI efforts at the STAY INFORMED button at the right.

  • Wellbeing and Rights Resources for Immigrant and Refugee Neighbors

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    In October, our community saw demonstrations of hateful speech directed toward our refugee and immigrant residents. The City of Missoula refutes such messages and affirms the humanity of all residents. Community safety, trust, and inclusion are guiding principles, and considering recent world and local events, we wish to highlight resources that may be helpful. This document has been translated into a number of languages spoken by members of our community, each hyperlinked below. Please share with neighbors, organizations and individuals who may benefit.

    1. Spanish
    2. Dari
    3. Pashto
    4. Arabic
    5. French
    6. Swahili
    7. English
  • Coming Soon: Council Consideration of JEDI Advisory Board Bylaws & Board Member Selection

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    Resolution 8533 passed in August 2021 establishing the City’s commitment to a Just, Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive (JEDI) Missoula included support for the county-led effort to create a JEDI Advisory board. This board aims to be a key engagement tool that will advance JEDI efforts, engage and connect community with resources, and align City JEDI efforts with community partners' efforts. Resolution 8659 passed January 2023 supported the creation of the JEDI Advisory Board and provided for a three-member task force to develop bylaws and a formal recruitment and selection process for prospective Board members within a 12-month period. The bylaws are drafted and posted for public comment here via Missoula County Voice. Both the Missoula County Commission and City Council are slated to review a resolution for adoption of these bylaws by early December.

    Additionally, the application process to be a JEDI Advisory Board member is now open through December 1 (apply here). The selection process aims to be completed by the end of December with the board beginning its operations in January 2024. Given that this board was created to assist local governing bodies to better consider the needs of all who call Missoula home, we strongly encourage those whose voices have not been centered in decision-making spaces to apply. The more this board represents the broad makeup of our diverse community, the better it can fulfill its mission to ensure inclusion and access for all.

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  • Charity Basketball Game

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    The City of Missoula supports the efforts and initiatives of the Community Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Network. You are invited to attend the Network's Charity Basketball Game on May 4 @ 6:30 pm at the Loyola Ram Center. Missoula firefighters, law enforcement officers and EMTs will face off against community leaders and volunteers. Food trucks will offer delectable fare and raffles will offer the chance to win exciting prizes!


    This event is generously sponsored by Blackfoot Communications. All proceeds will go to the Network to further its work to continue serving the community.


    Please email missoulacommunityjedinetwork@gmail.com with any questions.

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  • Call for Proposals: JEDI Facilitation & Planning

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    The Missoula Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Network seeks consulting services (on contract) to plan, facilitate, and staff a series of four working group gatherings in 2023. The purpose of these gatherings is to begin developing consensus for a framework to create a community-driven plan that will align systems, assets, and skills to work toward equity to the greatest extent possible in all policies, services, and resources – in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors – in Missoula County.

    Read the full Request for Qualifications (RFQ) here or you can also view at the City's Website here. Any questions must be submitted to JEDI@missoulaunitedway.org no later than Monday, February 6 (please include a phone number where you may be reached during business hours).

    Completed proposals must be submitted by Monday, February 13.

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  • Council Vote on Advisory Board

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    The proposed resolution establishing a Joint City-County JEDI Advisory Board was heard before the Committee of the Whole on January 11, where it received 9 votes in favor, 3 against. Because it was not a unanimous vote, the January 23 Council Meeting will hear the motion again, welcome public comment, and make a final vote.

    A community working group has labored for over a year and a half to accomplish creation of this board, a measure supported in the initial JEDI Resolution passed in August 2021. A vote passing this resolution honors the work of these community members, and establishes a body that will provide invaluable insight for both City and County government leaders.

    Please attend the meeting either in-person or virtually to show your support for a JEDI Advisory Board! Note that while the agenda shows this issue being addressed toward the end, if there are no objections from council, it will be moved earlier to after the reading of the Black History Month proclamation.

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  • Joint City-County JEDI Advisory Board

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    Resolution 8533 passed in August 2021 establishing the City’s commitment to a Just, Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive (JEDI) Missoula included support for the county-led effort to create a JEDI Advisory board. This board in combination with community convenings are key engagement tools that will advance JEDI efforts, engage and connect community with resources, and align our JEDI efforts with community partners' efforts. One of the transformative action strategies recommended in the Listening, Engaging, Action, Reflection, Network (LEARN) audit was “Include BIPOC voices and perspectives in policy decisions. Connect with and collaborate with BIPOCs prior to making impactful decisions” (p. 124). An advisory board not only applies this recommendation, but also removes the barrier of direct access to government officials for residents from numerous diverse populations, especially those historically underrepresented and most adversely affected by disparities, thereby engaging them more fully in the decision-making process. A voluntary working group began their efforts toward creation of this advisory board in Spring 2021 as part of the National League of Cities Cohort Road Map which aims to ensure all residents feel safe, valued, welcome, and experience a sense of belonging. The working group was first hosted by Jamar Galbreath, County Equity Coordinator, and that work was continued by Rozlyn Haley after Jamar’s departure. The City was represented in the working group by a member of the City’s JEDI Strategic Implementation Work Team. The proposal going before both the Missoula City Council and the Missoula County Board of Commissioners on January 11 and January 5, respectively, is to pass a resolution to establish a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) joint City County Advisory Board.

    Initially, the resolution provides for a three-member task force that will have a 12-month period to develop bylaws and a formal recruitment and selection process for prospective Board members. This task force will be comprised of members from the original voluntary working group who have all invested significant time and energy to bring the advisory board to fruition.




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Page last updated: 19 Aug 2024, 07:50 AM