Since the onset of the pandemic, Multnomah County has employed a set of principles to guide our decision-making throughout the crisis. These principles provide critical direction when the County faces challenging choices, while grounding our process in Multnomah County’s values.
The County has relied on these values as we developed our reopening framework; our strategies to reach communities of color who have felt disproportionately severe health and economic impacts of COVID-19; and our investments using funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. And they have remained integral in developing proposals for investing the resources that Multnomah County received from the American Rescue Plan.
Inclusively Leading with Race
In order to best serve people and populations who have been disproportionately impacted by inequities, Multnomah County inclusively leads with race. We honor the expertise, relationships, and resilience within communities of color through our partnerships, and are committed to co-creating solutions.
Using an Equity and Racial Justice Approach
We use an equity and racial justice approach to help us account for the intersection of inequities, disease trends, and the belief that it is tremendously beneficial to the health of our whole community when we provide services in the languages and cultural traditions of our diverse communities.
Listening to Those Closest to the Work
Providing excellent service and supporting people in our community is a hallmark of what Multnomah County does as a local government, safety net system and public health authority. At the heart of this work are our County employees and our community partners. Our work is at its best when we engage and listen to the expertise and insight of those who are on the front lines working with community members each day.
Embedding a Public Health Approach
By integrating a public health approach into our spending priorities, we are able to consider opportunities to improve the health and wellness of our community at individual, community and population levels, using data and making investments that can have short-term and long-term benefits.
Partnering with Diverse Stakeholders
Genuine partnerships with our jurisdictional partners, community leaders and community-based organizations is a key component to increasing the effectiveness and broadening the impact of our resources.
