Equity
Equity
An equitable community is one that listens with empathy, and understands with compassion, that different barriers impact the lives of its residents in a variety of ways. To minimize these impacts and remove barriers, Temecula continues to build on our diverse and inclusive legacy with specifically tailored tools and resources that are provided to residents and businesses, thus ensuring that equitable opportunities (from housing and recreation to education and employment) are achievable for ALL members of the community. Social opportunity includes the ability to acknowledge and heal the struggles of individuals and families that have been historically or presently underrepresented in the community. Regardless of ethnicity, gender, ability or socio-economic status, Temecula continues to have heart.
Support is provided through accessible educational pathways and need-based assessments created with the full and inclusive participation of the diverse community. Once identified, inequity gaps are closed through appropriate resource allocation, enhanced programs, and service delivery. Policies are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure community satisfaction and a high quality of life remain at the forefront. An equitable environment fosters a sense of belonging through various cultural experiences and diversity of thought, where all individuals feel welcome, engaged, and part of the community.
Equity is measured through and by the people. Inclusion is the measurable goal. An equitable community reflects a high level of community engagement and participation. The key to accountability and the equitable delivery of programs and services lies in the specific and direct qualitative and quantitative data. An equitable community consistently collects and shares data with the residents it serves in a manner that is accessible and understandable.
Measuring Our Progress
| Indicator | Meets/Exceeds Goals | Progressing | Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalEnvironScreen Composite Score: Goal: 25 or lower; “Progressing” is 26-35; “Needs Improvement” is >35 | 30.05 | ||
| Number of HUD identified racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty (R/ECAPs) in the City: Goal: 0 | 0 | ||
| Racial/Ethnic Dissimilarity Index: Goal: 39 or less; “Progressing” is 40-54; “Needs Improvement” >54. | 19-26 (2010) | ||
| Number of Certificates/ Proclamations/ Presentations recognizing community contributions | 168 |
| Indicator | Meets/Exceeds Goals | Progressing | Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Students in Youth in Government: Goal: 21; “Progressing” is 15-20; “Need Improvement” is <15 | 21 | ||
| Collaborate with Riverside County Law Library to offer law related classes to the public: Goal: 6; “Progressing” is 4-6; “Needs Improvement” is <4 | 4 | ||
| Number of nonprofit organizations funded through the Community Service funding and the City Council Grant Program: Goal: 25+; “Progressing”: 15-24; “Needs Improvement” <15 | 25 | ||
| Number of affordable (Extremely Low – Low Income) housing units constructed : Goal: 64 per year; “Progressing” is 32-63; “Needs Improvement” is <32 | 192* |
| Indicator | Meets/Exceeds Goals | Progressing | Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of community-wide special needs specific programs presented through TCSD (12+; 8-11; <7) | 5 | ||
| Number of special needs participants provided with swim lessons and water safety programs: Goal: 90; “Progressing” is 50-90; “Needs Improvement” is <50 | 66 | ||
| Human Service programs for at-risk youth: Goal: 32; “Progressing” is 25-32; “Needs Improvement” is <28 | 29 | ||
| Computer classes provided in the technology homework center at the Temecula Public Library: Goal: 12; “Progressing” is 9-12; “Needs Improvement” is <8 | 12 (2021-2022) | ||
| Continue to fund and track homeless outreach services and participate in the annual Point-in-Time Survey. Goal: Reduce homeless numbers (PIT count); “Progressing” is Stable; “Needs Improvement” is increasing | 59 in 2019; Targets in 2020: 40; 2021: 35 |
Our Accomplishments, Strategic Objectives, and Goals for 2040
- Extensive community outreach from City Departments through multiple media channels
- Formation of the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Commission
- Youth in Government and other Youth Intern/Extern, and vocational programs
- Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) with focus on intervention and street-level outreach
- Annual Pu’éska Mountain Day celebrating Pechanga
- Cultural Heritage Month and Culture Fest
- Established Wi-Fi Gardens for all
- Senior Center and shuttle services
- Created a Human Services Division
- Eagle Soar Park and Splash Pad with inclusion and special needs playground
- Reduction of chronically homeless based on county-wide point-in-time surveys
- Invested $1 million through COVID funds for behavioral health support
- Friendship Park with inclusion and accessible play equipment for children of all abilities
- Implement all three phases of the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Initiative:
1) REDI Commission
2) Diversity training
3) Equity Core Value in QLMP - Develop a web-based dashboard to help communicate with Temecula residents and track progress over time
- Consider incorporating transportation insecurity questions into City survey efforts
- Continued advocacy for under-represented groups
- Work with private sector to develop attainable housing
- Support the fair and equitable treatment of all human beings in
a just society - Foster a healthy environment and prosperous opportunities for all residents of Temecula and advance equity, diversity, engagement and inclusion in the City’s services, programs, cultural experiences and community dialogue, including access to language
- Exhaust all methods of communication and outreach between the City and its residents when providing services and programs to ensure transparency and inclusion among all segments of society
- Monitor the City’s budget and resource allocation to close inequity gaps to ensure that the City’s programs, services, educational pathways and infrastructure meet the needs of diverse communities
Community Survey
The survey acts as the City’s report card from the community. The purpose of the study is to assess perceptions of quality of life in the City and identify important issues and services. The survey gathers opinions on topics and has the residents rate the topics by level of priority (high priority vs. lower priority). It also evaluates perceptions of local government and customer services by rating the expectation level (exceeds expectations vs. not satisfied).
Exceeds Expectations or is a High Priority (>85%)
Progressing or is a Medium Priority (70-84%)
Not Satisfied or is a Lower Priority (<70%)
City Services
73.2%
Residents importance of providing programs and services to those with special needs
86.0%
Residents satisfaction with programs and services to those with special needs
Community Involvement
59.3%
Provide for diversity, inclusion in events, services, programs, policies
70.6%
Residents satisfaction with City efforts to provide for diversity, inclusion in events, services, programs, policies
Rating of Residents Spending Priorities (medium and high priorities)
70.7%
Expand programs and services to those with special needs
In all that it does, Temecula continuously strives to be an equitable community for all.