Our goal

Juan Ugarte, Clinic Manager, Virginia Garcia Cornelius Wellness Center

Washington County’s mission is to provide excellent and cost-effective services that support healthy, peaceful, safe and sustainable communities and encourage meaningful participation in community activities and county governance. We are committed to addressing past and ongoing harm and obstacles certain communities face within our government systems. To learn more, read the Washington County Equity Resolution (English only)

What is equity?

Equity results from fairness and justice in public policy. We believe equity will exist when everyone in Washington County can:

  • Participate fully in economic vitality
     
  • Access services and resources
     
  • Reach their full potential
     

What is inclusion?

Inclusion is welcoming and supporting the active engagement and participation of diverse people in Washington County’s decision-making processes and outcomes.
 

MSTIP equity and inclusion goal

Our MSTIP equity and inclusion goal is to involve all Washington County residents – particularly people living with lower incomes; people living with disabilities; Hispanic/Latinx, Pacific Islander, African, African American, Indigenous, Asian and other people of color; and people who do not speak English as their primary language – in this public process.

Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation, the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement and Espousal Strategies, LLC collaborated to engage communities that have historically been excluded from the public engagement process. This included:

  • An interactive webinar
     
  • Targeted focus groups
     
  • Comment opportunities through community-based organizations
     
  • This second, project-focused online open house