Annual Report - Chief Executive Office - Los Angeles County

County of Los Angeles Annual Report 2006-2007
Human Relations Commission
The Human Relations Commission seeks to harness the strengths of culturally
diverse communities by strategically engaging schools, community-based organizations,
law enforcement, faith communities, local governments, youth and major institutions in
intergroup relations initiatives. The commission’s vision is of an informed multicultural and
diverse community linked by interaction, compassion and understanding, one that is
committed to justice, equity, opportunity, accountability, respect and dignity. As one of the
oldest and largest agencies of its kind, the commission provides expertise in building
collaborations and networks, promoting programs and strategies to enhance positive intergroup
relations, and teaches non-violent conflict resolution. By doing so, the commission
promotes acceptance and mutual understanding of the diverse cultures, and helps to build
an effective, inclusive, and caring multicultural society.
Major Accomplishments 2005-2006
Addressed the continuing rise in campus racial violence by developing partnerships to
create human relations models in five strategically selected high schools in the County
as part of a two-year effort towards becoming “Distinguished Zerohour Schools.”
Produced its 24th annual report on hate crime in the county, which revealed a rise in
total number of reported hate crimes in 2005 from 2004, but also a decline in hate
crimes against gays and lesbians. In partnership with Harvard University’s Kennedy
School of Government, the commission hate crime report was promoted as a best
practice to policing organizations and governmental human relations/rights
commissions throughout the U.S.
Organized a countywide youth conference in September 2005 called “L.A. Remixed:
Student Symposium for Campus Action.” More than 100 youths formed campus teams
from schools in the ABC Unified, the Antelope Valley Union High, the Los Angeles
Unified (including Jefferson High), and the Pasadena Unified School Districts. Students
learned about strategies for combating discrimination on campus and created action
plans for their campuses to become better allies of student-led groups on campus.
Co-organized with the LA County Office of Education a countywide teachers and
administrators summit entitled “Dialogue & Discussion: Responding to and Preventing
Intergroup Conflict at LA County Schools.” A capacity crowd learned about best
practices in crisis response and intervention, and received resources for hate crime
and violence prevention.
Major Objectives 2006-2007
Address the continuing growth in inter-ethnic and inter-faith tensions in L.A. County,
influenced by international conflict, fear of threats of terrorist attack, national
immigration debate, racial appeals in electoral campaigns and other critical incidents.
Convene a series of key stakeholder meetings that culminate in one or more human
relations summits that identify a range of effective approaches to overcome inter-ethnic
and inter-faith conflicts in these contexts.
Demonstrate the potential of schools to be transformative institutions capable of
reducing and preventing inter-group tensions and hate violence on their campuses.
Implement plans at Pomona, Gardena, Taft, Artesia and Hart High Schools to advance
sustainable human relations programming and support their efforts to becoming
Distinguished Zerohour human relations model schools.
Develop three new public education, outreach and distribution initiatives that
significantly boost the utilization of the commission’s human relations resources and
materials for priority audiences, and improve public attitudes regarding inter-group
relations. These will include new or enhanced video/dvd public service
announcements, posters, and Human Relations Commission and Zerohour website
upgrades that target schools, youth, and local governmental entities.
Human Services
Robin S. Toma
Executive Director
(Appointed 10/03/00)
Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Budget
Gross Total
Less Intrafund
$3,275,000
Transfer $0
Net Total $3,275,000
Revenue $377,000
Net County Cost $2,898,000
Positions 23.0
Commissioners Adrian Dove
and Mario Ceballos recognize
Multi-ethnic Immigrant Workers
Organizing Network at the
annual John Anson Ford awards
luncheon.
Pomona youth commissioners
in zerohour shirts after
dedicating a peace quilt to the
city, which they made at a
"Youth Block Party: Stitching
Pomona Together."
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