Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

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

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.