Learning & Development Materials………………………………………………………………………… 14

Structural Racism

Making progress on equity will require us to both mitigate our own biases and change structures. For example, structural inequities in the way we fund our programs or policies mean that constituents living in affluent communities have highly-resourced recreation centers, while constituents living in neighborhoods in which we have disinvested have recreation centers that are underfunded and offer fewer opportunities. (National Equity Project, 2019)

This is an insidious cycle whereby structural inequities produce inequitable outcomes; which then reinforce harmful racial stereotypes; which are then used to justify inequitable regulations, policies, programs and practices that fail to account for the unique barriers faced by structurally-excluded communities.

“If racism is based on fear and ignorance, then one way to help move the needle toward equity - and change people’s hearts and minds - is through education. We need a big toolkit to address all the different types of racism that exist in San Diego (and our country), let’s get to work — together.”

- Helen Weldeghiorgis (she/her)

Race and Equity Program Manager

Tactical Equity Plans

A city is measured by how effectively it can deliver services to its residents. In response to internal stakeholder feedback, the Performance & Analytics Department and the Department of Race & Equity launched a new Tactical Equity Plan process that merges tactical planning and equity action planning.

By bringing these two processes together, departments can better integrate equity into how they operate both now and in the future. The new Tactical Equity Plan structure enhances department capability to think through the necessary operational, policy, program, practice and budget conditions needed to create equal and equitable outcomes for inclusive City services.

The Tactical Equity Plan is made up of two components: the Tactical Plan and the Equity Action Plan. Details for both components can be found below and on Page 21.

Tactical Plan Component

The Tactical Plan is a near-term planning document that outlines a department’s key strategic priorities over a 2- to 5-year horizon. The plan creates alignment between the department’s operational needs, the City Strategic Plan and the 5-Year Financial Outlook. It also details specific goals, objectives and measures of success for the department.

An effective Tactical Plan allows departments to answer the following questions:

What is the department’s vision for success/what does success look like over the next five years?

What actions are necessary in order to succeed?

How will the department know their actions are moving them closer to their goals?

What important staff, resident or customer needs are there in specific operations or services? How does the department know what those needs are? What methods can they use to find out?

What is the department doing to address problems identified by customers and feedback shared by employees?

How successful has the department been in solving problems and meeting needs?