The Cumberland County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DEIAC) was created in 2020 after the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners’ adopted of a Resolution Against Racial Injustice on June 15, 2020, following the death of George Floyd. The Resolution stated that a “County Diversity and equity Committee comprised of representatives from a cross section of internal departments will be created and charged with developing recommendations, procedures and a strategic plan outlining goals to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization…”
The DEIAC held its first meeting on Sept. 11, 2020, and was comprised of 22 employees from across the County’s various departments. The Committee’s purpose was to advise and guide County government to ensure integration of diversity, equity and inclusion with the County’s mission, operations, strategies and business objectives.
In 2021, the DEIAC recommended, and the Board of Commissioners adopted, a three-year Strategic Plan focused on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the areas of policy, training, staff recruitment and retention, internal operations and community outreach/engagement. Since that time, the Committee has been focused on carrying out the goals and initiatives from the Strategic Plan with the assistance of County staff assigned to provide leadership and administrative support to the Committee, as well as other key County departments involved in putting those initiatives into action.
The DEIAC was also responsible for the addition of a floating holiday to the County’s existing 12-holiday schedule that may be used on a day selected by each employee that has a special meaning to them. This initiative came after the Board tasked the Committee with reviewing the County’s holiday schedule and making a recommendation in consideration of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is one of Cumberland County Government’s core organizational values and the Cumberland County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee is an important part of the Board of Commissioners’ efforts to make Cumberland County Government a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace for all employees.