operationalizing the promise of equity to improve latino health - matias valenzuela
TRANSCRIPT
Matias Valenzuela, PhD
Director, Office of Equity and Social Justice
Office of King County Executive Dow Constantine
Operationalizing the promise of equity to
improve Latino health
Demographics Across King County
People of Color
Seattle
Kent
Bellevue
Auburn
Renton
Bothell
Federal Way
Redmond
Sammamish
SeaTac
Kirkland
Shoreline
BurienTukwila
Issaquah
Kenmore
Covington
Des Moines
Woodinville
Mercer Island
Maple Valley
Newcastle
Black Diamond
Pacific
Duvall
Lake Forest Park
Medina
Algona
Normandy Park
Low Income
Seattle
Kent
Bellevue
Auburn
Renton
Bothell
Federal Way
Redmond
Sammamish
SeaTac
Kirkland
Shoreline
BurienTukwila
Issaquah
Kenmore
Covington
Des Moines
Woodinville
Mercer Island
Maple Valley
Newcastle
Black Diamond
Pacific
Duvall
Lake Forest Park
Medina
Algona
Normandy Park
Seattle
Kent
Bellevue
Auburn
Renton
Bothell
Federal Way
Redmond
Sammamish
SeaTac
Kirkland
Shoreline
BurienTukwila
Issaquah
Kenmore
Covington
Des Moines
Woodinville
Mercer Island
Maple Valley
Newcastle
Black Diamond
Pacific
Duvall
Lake Forest Park
Medina
Algona
Normandy Park
Low Educational Attainment
Lowest Average Highest
Equity lens - frameworks
Determinants of equity
Equity in
Decision making and policies: Who benefits? Who doesn’t?
What changes are needed?
Organizational practices
Community engagement: Who are we engaging? Who are we
not? How can we become more inclusive?
Impact on specific populations: Low-income communities,
people of color, limited-English proficient populations
Process equity, distributional equity, cross-
generational equity
Transit strategic
plan
Budgets and business
plans
Human resources practices and policies
Equity in
• policies and decision-making
• organizational practices
• community engagement
Health enrollment
By population &
geography, focus where
greatest needs
Lessons learned – health enrollment
• Engage local leaders
• Collaboration is essential
• Utilize existing networks
• Don’t overlook smaller organizations
• Develop new partnerships
• Listen – partners know communities best
• Think outside the box
• Convene a regular forum for addressing technical
issues and sharing solutions
• Don’t be afraid to adjust your strategies – continuous
improvement
Prevent Crises
Before They Begin
1. Start early and invest intensively before age 5
2. Make strategic investments at the critical points in a young person’s development from ages 5 to 24
3. Invest at the community level to reinforce a child’s progress
Advancing equity: Success &
challenges
Leadership
Integration, engagement and part of
everybody’s work
Breaking down silos
Tools and frameworks: Equity tools,
ordinance, equity determinants
Measurements: Internal & community
Communications: Employee & community
Both hearts and minds
Considering the “Healthy Stream” and the
“Community Engagement Continuum”
• What are your opportunities to move
“upstream” in your work?
• What are your opportunities to move
more towards the right of the
Community Engagement Continuum
to make your work more community
driven?
Thank you!
King County Equity and Social Justice
www.kingcounty.gov/equity
Matias Valenzuela, Director
Office of Equity and Social Justice
Office of King County Executive Dow Constantine