Community & Belonging Division
Community & Belonging Division
The Community & Belonging Division is dedicated to advancing efforts that nurture a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable community and workforce where all individuals can thrive. We collaborate with County agencies and departments to strengthen practices that promote fairness, belonging, and respectful engagement across Ventura County government. Our focus includes identifying and addressing barriers that limit full participation and access to services, with the goal of improving outcomes for all residents.
Our work supports the County of Ventura’s mission—to provide superior public service and support so that all residents have the opportunity to improve their quality of life while enjoying the benefits of a safe, healthy, and vibrant community. Through learning opportunities and strategic guidance, we equip the County’s workforce with tools and best practices that foster inclusive service delivery—reinforcing the County’s
commitment to equitable treatment and respect for all community members.
This commitment is reflected in the Ventura County Board of Supervisors’ 2020 resolution recognizing racism as a public health concern. That resolution builds on the County’s longstanding efforts to advance fairness and inclusion across all areas of governance. While we lead with a focus on racial equity, our approach also addresses other essential areas of inclusion, such as ability, gender identity, and more—ensuring that County programs meet the needs of all community members.
Leadership Groups
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council
Formed in 2017, DEI Council (formerly the DEI Taskforce) is building momentum to advance equity with agency representatives at all levels of the organization. The DEI Council meets monthly and provides recommendations to County leadership on policies, programs, and initiatives, while also serving as a link between all County of Ventura Agencies and the community.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Accountability Team
Formed in 2021, the Leadership Accountability Team (LAT) sets overall direction and oversight for community & belonging efforts in partnership with the DEI Council and the Community & Belonging Division. The team is composed of six directors who serve as liaisons to the County Executive Office. Its role is to champion initiatives that foster belonging and inclusion while ensuring that County leadership upholds its responsibility to integrate equitable practices within agencies and departments.
Public Safety Racial Equity Advisory Group (PSREAG)
Formed in 2021, PSREAG fosters communication and identifies public concerns related to policing. The committee membership is comprised of community group representatives and law enforcement representatives.
Healthcare Equity Advisory Council (HEAC)
Formed in 2021, HEAC brings together representatives of county agencies and the community to enhance DEI within our healthcare services.
Momentum Milestone
- 2015: The Board adopted a Health in All Policies framework to ensure County leaders and decision makers have the tools they need to view all decisions through a health equity lens when developing policies that impact population health outcomes.
- 2017-2020: Developed and implemented a mandatory employee cultural competency training and Mentorship Program
- 2018: Created a DEI Library on the County’s Intranet as a staff resource
- 2020: Hosted public and employee forums regarding race and law enforcement
- 2020: Adopted a Board Resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis
- 2020: Transitioned the DEI Task Force to an ongoing DEI Council in which all agencies and departments are represented
- 2020: Recruited & hired a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer
- 2021: Launched Talking Together in Challenging Times racial equity dialogues for county staff to begin normalizing conversations about race in the workplace
- 2021: Formalized a Diversity Calendar of Events and Celebrations for the County of Ventura
- 2021: Expansion of the DEI Office Staffing
- 2022: Launched the Healthcare Equity Advisory Council and the Public Safety Racial Equity Advisory Group
- 2022: Launch of the DEI Learning Series for Staff Members
- 2023: Launched the new Youth Equity Initiative and added two new positions focused on building capacity and connecting youth serving organizations, and centering youth voices in decision making spaces
Contact Information
Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
800 South Victoria #1940
Hall of Administration 4th Floor
Ventura, CA 93009
Belonging@ventura.org
NOTE: As a convenience to our visitors, this page may contain links to external websites that are not managed or controlled by the County of Ventura.
