Mission

Rock County values diversity, equity, and inclusion as core strength components among its workforce and clientele. The County's equity priorities aim to improve our policies to align with our commitment to provide culturally competent and responsive services to our community. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment. Every member of our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions. 

Message from Josh Smith, County Administrator 

I appreciate your interest in learning about Rock County’s commitment to equity and inclusion.   

In Rock County, we understand that creating, growing, and sustaining equity in all we do requires the involvement of our entire community. There are several ways we are approaching these essential efforts.  

Internally, Rock County is engaging our workforce to learn about cultural differences, identify implicit bias, and equip ourselves with the tools to advance equity. We recognize that an inclusive work environment where everyone is respected and can contribute leads to better outcomes for those we serve.    

Externally, Rock County engages our community to promote and strengthen equity proactively. Through our relationships with community partners, including nonprofits, businesses, and other local governments, we look to expand equitable practices and services to all residents of the County.   

Rock County recognizes that historical policies and practices have contributed to disparate impacts on populations of color in both our inward-facing and outward-looking efforts. While this is not a new concept, events over the past several years have exacerbated these disparities and strengthened our resolve to address these challenges. We continue to evaluate policies that affect our staff and those we serve through an equity lens, with the intent of both addressing the past and creating a better future.   

Please join us in our efforts to create a more equitable Rock County for those who live, work, and play in our community! 

 Josh Smith, Rock County Administrator

Diversity Action Statement

Rock County recognizes that diversity and inclusion are prominent factors that can maximize the success of our workplace. County employees reflect the different cultures, background, beliefs and abilities inherent in the larger population of Rock County.

The foundation of our diversity philosophy is to articulate clearly to employees and the general public our intention to create a culture that enhances our ability to hire, retain, develop, manage and promote a diverse workforce. We will ensure that our employees and consumers are treated fairly, free from intolerance and discrimination.

Our Focus

Rock County strives to achieve a Culture for Equity. A Culture for Equity exists when organizational policies, practices, mindsets, resource allocations, decision-making processes, and capacities are aligned with the goal of ensuring everyone has a fair and just opportunity for health and wellbeing. In organizations with a strong Culture for Equity, there is an explicit focus on removing barriers that create inequity.

     Priorities

At Rock County, we aim to ensure:

• Organizational goals, outcomes, and strategic focus demonstrate commitment to equity
• Equitable treatment with individuals from different groups
• Individuals from different groups have equitable influence over decisions impacting their lives or communities
• Services, supports, resources, and opportunities are equitably distributed and accessible across the community
• Equity in the quality of services, supports, or opportunities across different groups and places

Progress

• On June 25, 2020, the Rock County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis and resolving to advocate for policies that improve health in communities of color, eliminate health and opportunity gaps along racial lines and increase the success of all groups by distributing resources justly across all communities.

• DEI Work group: We recognize that equity work is community work. Using guidance and best practices,  a team of Equity Ambassadors across County Departments help to embed equity into the daily work of County employees.

     Additional Equity Initiatives

•  Cultural Intelligence/Competency Training for all employees
•  Anti-Bias training for all employees