Overview
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced the release of the inaugural Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health (OEJCH) Strategic Plan. This comprehensive roadmap outlines a path to protect Los Angeles County residents from the harmful effects of toxic exposure and climate change.
Created in collaboration with community, agency, and government partners, the Strategic Plan focuses on five key areas:
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Community Engagement and Partnerships
Nurture community relationships to ensure interactive communication and develop community-driven solutions. -
Interagency Coordination and Governmental Engagement
Cultivate collaboration between public, private, and community partners to develop solutions to environmental and climate health threats. -
Policy
Track, inform and develop impactful environmental justice and climate health policies. -
Data
Collect, interpret, and share accessible, actionable environmental justice and climate health data and information with partners and the public to highlight emerging issues and trend analyses to actively inform policies and programs. -
Accountability and Communications
Develop and foster communications to keep the community and partners informed of the roles, responsibilities, and progress of the OEJCH.
History of the OEJCH
On April 5, 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion to establish the Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health (OEJCH). The goal of OEJCH is to advance the County's commitment to improve public health outcomes and reduce public health disparities in communities overburdened by pollution exposure and poor air quality. The directive included the development of a strategic plan and shifted OEJCH's focus from emergency response to prevention.
Strategic Planning Process
To create the Strategic Plan, the Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health in collaboration with Estolano Advisors and five community-based partners, hosted nine community workshops across the County to invite input to help shape the OEJCH's priorities for the next five years. Additionally, the following engagements were completed:
- Two strategy sessions with OEJCH Leadership
- Eight interviews with DPH staff and a small group interview with the Regional Health Officers
- Eight external interviews with County partners/key stakeholders
- Four interviews with Tribal organizations
- One external focus group with County partners
- Two sessions with an Internal Advisory Committee.
- Thirty-day public comment period
| Past Meetings | Resource(s) |
|---|---|
Virtual Countywide MeetingJanuary 25, 2024 |
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