Building an Inclusive Community
Track: Leadership & Management

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | 3:00 to 4:15pm

Speaker:
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, City of Renton

Session Description:

Renton is one of the fastest growing cities in the Puget Sound area and like many other cities has experienced a significant shift in population in recent years. From 2000 to 2010, the minority population in the City of Renton grew by 165%. As a public service agency, it is critical to recognize and understand these changing demographics in order to effectively address citizen needs, ensure programs are accessible and to strengthen community connections. The City of Renton established a network of community leaders, representing various cultural and ethnic groups and is utilizing this robust network to connect with the community. Renton’s model addresses many key priority areas including community and public safety; access to health and human services; strong, vibrant neighborhoods; respect and dignity; and, meaningful civic participation and community engagement. This workshop will provide an overview of the community liaison program including steps you can take to implement a similar program in your community!

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will understand the foundations of the community liaison model.
• Participants will learn the steps necessary to implement and sustain a community liaison model.
• Participants will understand the community benefits of a cross-cultural community outreach strategy.