Safety and Justice Challenge May Networking Meeting Workshop
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Cook County and Charleston County shared their experiences engaging communities in discussions around safety and justice challenges. Both counties used dialogue circles and surveys to gather input from over 1,000 community members total. Key takeaways included the need to address racial bias and disparities, improve perceptions of trust in law enforcement and the justice system, and support reentry for those returning from incarceration. Survey results showed people found value in participating and being heard. The counties are using this community input to inform strategic planning and identify priorities like increasing training, creating more engagement opportunities, and establishing partnerships to support reform.
Safety and Justice Challenge May Networking Meeting Workshop
- 1. “WHAT IT TAKES” COOK AND CHARLESTON COUNTIES SHARE INSIGHTS FROM THEIR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIALOGUE-TO-CHANGE PROCESS SAFETY AND JUSTICE CHALLENGE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP MAY 20, 2020
- 2. Moderator: Carolyne Abdullah, Everyday Democracy Gwen Wright, Everyday Democracy, Network Consultant Moderator: Gwendolyn Whiting Everyday Democracy
- 3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE SAFETY AND JUSTICE CHALLENGE NETWORK Everyday Democracy’s Role: To communicate the value and practice the work of community engagement, with a racial equity lens, through our Dialogue to Change Approach – in Justice System Reform….
- 4. Everyday Democracy Dialogue-To-Change Approach Here’s how it works… Coalition Building Facilitator TrainingOrganizing Training Recruit Participants & Facilitators CommunityChange Organize ActionDialogue Kick Off Action Forum Individual Change Institutional and Policy Change Collective Action
- 5. Delrice Adams, Executive Director, JAC Cook County, Chicago IL Ray Robinson Community Engagement Kim Davis-Ambrose C.E. Coordinator
- 6. Adina Gross Communications and Community Outreach Kristy Pierce Danford Director, CJCC Charleston County, SC Keith Fields Community Engagement Committee
- 7. COOK COUNTY: “DIALOGUES TO CHANGE” Using Dialogue Circles to Raise Community Voice through a Racial Equity Lens
- 8. Community Engagement Activities and Timelines 8 17 MONTHLY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS JUNE 2018 3 COMMUNITY KICK OFF SUMMITS 1 PER COMMUNITY APRIL 2019 6 INTERGENERATIONAL 2 PER COMMUNITY MARCH-AUGUST 2019 15 5-WEEK DIALOGUE SESSIONS JUNE-JULY 2019 4 EMERGING ADULT MARCH-AUGUST 2019 5 ON SITE PRESENTATIONS JUNE –JULY 2019
- 9. Cook County – Community Engagement Outcomes 115 attended Community Summits 144 participated in Dialogues Over 1000 outreached 400 surveyed 9
- 10. Charleston County Community Engagement Strategy to Raise Awareness and Engage Community in Problem Solving GOAL: Engage 1,000 community members to help set the course for the next strategic plan
- 11. Charleston County Step by Step Process 2020 CJCC Strategic Plan 1,000+ Community Voices 654 Surveys 460 Large Group Events 101 Roundtable Dialogues
- 13. Challenges and Successes • Vulnerability of internal stakeholders to engage community • Community lack of trust with government • Relationship building with groups/individuals who have been negatively impacted by justice system • Traditional outreach ineffective • Successes in Building Community Trust – Acknowledge historical role of government – Offer transparency and support not a “fix” – Authentic partnerships (i.e. outreach, speakers) needed to develop innovative outreach efforts – Deliver results (not just talking to talk)
- 14. Valuable Lessons Learned Addressing Stakeholders Concerns Be willing to have the hard conversations (face to face) Validate others concerns Share, share, and share Community Engagement information every step of the way
- 16. Bringing Together Diverse Voices Everyone’s voice has an opportunity to be heard, equally and respectfully; People of Different background and views routinely work together to create equitable communities; Create opportunities for people, institutions, and government to work together for common good; Recognize how structural racism has shaped our nation and our communities.
- 17. Surprising Outcomes and Dialogue Survey Results • People actually showed up and were really committed • People took time out of their lives to participate in the process • As a community, we gained so much out of it! • Increased knowledge and awareness • Opportunity to share experiences and suggestions • Participation was valued and felt heard • Learned from other points of view • Motivated to act • Would recommend to others
- 19. Cook County Summary of Dialogue Themes/Recommendations 19
- 20. Charleston County Qualitative Analysis: 5 Key Themes Racial bias and socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and low educational attainment, exacerbate disparity in the justice system. The everyday conduct and behaviors of system agents, such as police officers, defense attorneys and prosecutors, and judges, impacts perceptions of trustworthiness, accountability and transparency of the criminal justice system. Engagement strategies such as transparent reporting, public forums and community conversations are helpful in improving the local justice system. There are major challenges for individuals returning to the community from incarceration, such as system-related financial obligations, housing, treatment, transportation, employment and regaining community trust. Outcomes produced by the local criminal justice system need to be improved.
- 21. Action Forum Priorities and Next Steps Increase education, training & awareness for justice system stakeholders Create more opportunities for community residents to become actively involved and engaged Build on efforts and activities already underway Establish partnerships and collaborations that will support local justice reform
- 22. REFLECTIONS Please share a statement that reflects your own jurisdiction’s value or role of community engagement in the SJC Initiative.
- 23. Thank you!