The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) works to enhance and promote access to resources and services that improve quality of life, regardless of:
- Age
- Country of origin
- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Physical and mental abilities
- Race
- Religion
- Sexual orientation or identity
Roles and Responsibilities
The Division is responsible for the management and oversight of the County’s:
- Human Relations Program, including the Human Relations Commission (HRC)—Enforces the County’s antidiscrimination law and Article 29 of the Baltimore County Code.
- Title VI Compliance, as outlined in the 1964 Civil Rights Act
- Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program (MWBE)—Works to increase and promote minority and women-owned business participation throughout County procured agreements (contract and grant agreements).
- Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund—In 2022, Maryland voters approved the legalization of recreational adult-use cannabis. Under the new law, a portion of the state revenue generated by the sale of cannabis is dedicated to the Community Reinvestment and repair Fund (CRRF).
The Division of DEI also supports the various departments and offices throughout the County’s general government to establish and enhance diversity, equity and inclusionary practices, protocols and policies.
Since the County’s DEI operation was established in 2019, it has grown to a staff of 12 and now manage a budget of over $1 million. In 2023, the DEI operation was designated by County law as a Division within the Office of Human Resources. The Division has established baseline data to track metrics related to key performance areas, built and strengthened relationships with community partners, and provided trainings that promote and support diversity and inclusion throughout the County workforce. In this, the Division’s annual report, baseline data is shared for key performance indicators that will be tracked in future reports.
What We Do
- Build bridges between communities and the government throughout the County.
- Complete compliance monitoring of procured agreements that have goals established to ensure fair and equitable representation of MBEs and WBEs that participate in awarded, procured agreements.
- Employ best practices to ensure that County government reflects a diverse workforce and is an inclusive workplace.
- Enforce Article 29, which governs the HRC.
- Ensure the application of an equity lens in decisions across County government, including hiring, contracting and purchasing.
- Establish and manage a centralized business process to provide oversight of Title VI compliance as it is outlined in the 1964 Civil Rights Act’s federal provisions.
- Foster community trust in government, particularly with public safety departments, through a multicultural Advisory Board.
- Review solicitations valued at $25,000 or higher to establish goals for the participation of MBEs and WBEs.
- Utilize data to assess resource and access needs of traditionally underserved communities, to engage communities about unmet needs, and in data-driven special projects, to show progress and foster buy-in.