9-Attachment B cultural-responsiveness-inclusion-strategic-plan.pdf

CRISP Final Report March 2021

Cultural Responsiveness & Inclusion Strategic Plan for the Boulder County Parks & Open Space Department

Final Report | March 31, 2021

Attachment B

Table of Contents Please click on the headers to navigate to the report section of interest.

Executive Summary

Introduction Project Background The Importance of the CRISP A Note on the Term “Latinx” and Intersectionality Acknowledgements

Project Approach and Methodology How to Use This Report

Summary of Research Findings from the Review of Foundational Documents Research Literature Review Awareness Session

Summary of Outreach and Engagement Activities BCPOS Staff Initial Engagement Asset Mapping Partner Workshops In Practice: Outdoor Experiences with Community Members

CRISP Recommendations Overall Findings from the CRISP Process CRISP Guiding Principles for Organizational Change CRISP Recommendations: Goals, Objectives, and Strategies

Overview of Evaluation Using a Culturally-Responsive Approach Overview of Evaluation Methods for Nonprofits and Government Agencies Culturally-Responsive Evaluation Evaluation Tools

Additional Deliverables and Resources Strategic Plan Deliverables CRISP Recommendations Implementation Ideas & Resources Project Evaluation Resources

Appendices

Executive Summary In February 2020, Trestle Strategy Group, in collaboration with Colorado Language Access & Cultural Experts (CLACE), was awarded a contract by Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS) to develop the Cultural Responsiveness & Inclusion Strategic Plan (CRISP), designed to foster greater engagement of the Boulder County Latinx community in the full range of opportunities available through BCPOS.

The purpose of the CRISP is to add a cultural responsiveness and inclusion lens to ALL that BCPOS does, with an initial focus on increasing participation and engagement with the Latinx community. To develop the CRISP, the Trestle team focused the project approach on three main areas of work that informed each other:

● Research: the team reviewed 11 BCPOS visitor reports and surveys, and performed an extensive search and review of more than 75 relevant literature references on the use of public spaces by typically underrepresented communities, Latinx participation in various place-based recreation or entertainment venues, Latinx media consumption, factors affecting levels and types of participation, and how the nature of the design of a program (e.g. language used, presence of culturally relevant themes, etc.) plays a role in the extent and types of participation among Latinx.

● Outreach and Engagement with BCPOS staff and management and Latinx partners and leaders:

these activities were at the core of the CRISP development. We had multiple opportunities to learn from and collaborate with BCPOS staff (staff questionnaire, facilitated discussions) and invite and co-create with Latinx partners (outdoor experiences, partner workshops).

● Project Management: Throughout the project, we met regularly with BCPOS project manager, the CRISP working group, and the management team (BCPOS director and division managers), to provide updates on the project progress, gather feedback from BCPOS, and co-create the best project approach to fit the needs of the department and adapt to the COVID-19 context.

Throughout this process, a number of themes emerged to make BCPOS programs, services, amenities, and facilities more welcoming, inclusive, and culturally responsive. We have grouped these findings into three categories of recommendations:

A. Partnerships & Co-Creation: Co-creating with the Latinx community means sharing power and jointly designing programs, services, amenities, and facilities, using a culturally responsive approach. This will result in BCPOS programs and services that engage the cultural values, interests, and practical needs of the Latinx community.

B. Communication & Outreach: To be effective, the BCPOS communication and outreach plan should be custom-designed and co-created with the Latinx community to reach relevant audiences (e.g. families, youth, and seniors) with clear bi-cultural and bilingual messaging, using specific media channels, social networks, and community organizations.

C. Economic Opportunities & Organizational Change: Job, contracting, purchasing, and leasing opportunities need to be made available to everyone in order for BCPOS to look like the community. In addition, organizational change - while the most difficult part of the CRISP mission

- must remain a constant and continuing effort and will require time, a recognition of the longstanding inequities in American society, the willingness for self-examination and commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and the courage to embrace the change and do things in a new way.

http://www.trestlestrategy.com/ https://clace.us/ https://clace.us/ https://www.bouldercounty.org/departments/parks-and-open-space/

This page summarizes the CRISP goals and objectives by category. In the report we provide short-, mid-, and long-term strategies for the implementation of the CRISP, along with evaluation measures for each of the objectives.

Recommendation Categories Goals Statements Objectives

A. Partnerships & Co-Creation

● Substantially increase Latinx participation and engagement with BCPOS through the development of relationships and partnerships with the Latinx community.

● Co-create programs, services, amenities, facilities, and resources with the Latinx community, and share power with the Latinx community to accomplish CRISP because it can’t be done by BCPOS alone.

Like all cultural groups, Latinx experience daily life through the lens of their values, life, language, knowledge, and social context. These factors are of central importance for POS in developing relationships, partnerships, and planning welcoming and effective experiences that will engage Boulder County’s Latinx community. Co-creating with the Latinx community means sharing power and jointly designing programs, services, amenities, and facilities, using a culturally responsive approach.

The result will be BCPOS programs and services that engage the cultural values, interests, and practical needs of the Latinx community.

This is one of the key steps for BCPOS to become more culturally responsive and for CRISP to be successful.

A.1. Understand the Latinx Community Build staff’s cultural competence by understanding the values, identities, strengths, challenges, and barriers of an individual and/or community from their own perspective.

A.2. Develop Partnerships, Share Power with the Latinx Community, and Use Asset Mapping Rely on the Latinx community and partners to develop mutually beneficial relationships.

A.3. Enhance Community Training & Volunteering Opportunities Use small steps, pilot projects to determine which training, internship, or volunteer programs are of interest to the Latinx community.

A.4. Develop an Explicit, Co-creative, and Culturally Responsive Planning and Design Process Plan for each step of a public user contact with a BCPOS program or service, starting with website information, media, signage at BCPOS sites, facilitation, etc., with consideration of the anticipated participants.

B. Communication & Outreach

Develop an effective communications and outreach strategy for Latinx engagement in Parks & Open Space experiences and opportunities.

An effective approach to communication and outreach begins through working directly with Latinx experts and leaders who can help with co-creating with the Latinx community. The Latinx community responds in relation to their levels of acculturation, English-language proficiency, media use, and relationships with community organizations and social networks. Communication and outreach should be custom-designed to reach relevant audiences (e.g. families, youth, and seniors) with clear bi-cultural and bilingual messaging using specific media channels, social networks, and community organizations.

B.1. Target Communication to Specific Latinx Audiences Customize communication and outreach to each population segment; also recognize that in-person communication is the most effective technique.

B.2. Transcreate Messages Establish a culture of bi-cultural and bilingual messages that reflect both Latinx cultures and heritage and BCPOS values and opportunities.

B.3. Implement Communication and Outreach Dedicate resources and work with partners to reach out to the Latinx community and demonstrate commitment to EDI and CRI.

B.4 Gather Latinx Community Feedback and Evaluation Use guidance from the Latinx community and take into consideration their feedback.

C. Economic Opportunities & Organizational Change

● Develop hiring, contracting, purchasing, and leasing practices that support EDI and result in Latinx participation as staff, contractors, tenants, and vendors.

● Develop staff awareness, skills, and competence to support the department's EDI goals.

● Put an effective organizational structure in place to embrace the changes needed for CRISP.

● Commit necessary staff and resources to the CRISP initiatives and staff development.

It is more important than ever before that BCPOS staff looks like the community and staff develop their competence in EDI work. With a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences, BCPOS staff can work together within an inclusive work environment to more effectively serve the entire community. It is also imperative that contracting, purchasing, and leasing opportunities are made available to everyone in our community. By doing so, companies and individuals can share their skills, knowledge, labor, and products and reap the financial benefits.

Organizational change will be the most difficult part of the CRISP mission to address and this challenge must remain as a constant and continuing effort. Real change takes time, a recognition of the longstanding inequities in American society, the willingness for self-examination and commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the courage to embrace the change and do things in a new way.

C.1. Update Hiring Practices & Economic Opportunities (Purchasing, Contracting & Leasing) Commit to staff, tenants, and contractors diversity by valuing diverse backgrounds, origins, and experiences in the hiring and selection processes.

C.2. Provide Staff Training and Development Change the department’s culture by promoting CRISP as a department wide effort and the responsibility of all staff.

C.3. Commit Internal Resources and Revise BCPOS Organization to Remove “Silos” Commit sufficient internal resources to the CRISP initiative to support real change, including the development of cultural competence and skills, the allocation of sufficient funding, and the effective integration and collaboration between divisions.

C.4. Seek External Funding Complement internal resources with external grants or contributions, and use this as an opportunity to build partnerships.

C.5. Implement the CRISP Recommendations and Assess Its Progress Recognize that implementing the CRISP recommendations will take time, long-term commitment, and the need for regular review and renewal of the CRISP.

Introduction In February 2020, Trestle Strategy Group, in collaboration with Colorado Language Access & Cultural Experts (CLACE), was awarded a contract by Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS) to develop the Cultural Responsiveness & Inclusion Strategic Plan (CRISP), designed to foster greater engagement of the Boulder County Latinx community in the full range of opportunities available through BCPOS.

This report provides:

● A Project Background section providing the CRISP mission statement and some information on

BCPOS and the Trestle team.

● A Project Approach and Methodology section.

● Summaries of Research and Outreach & Engagement Activities.

● Recommendations for the CRISP.

● An Overview of Evaluation Issues.

In addition, the CRISP Short-Term Action Plan provides a brief overview of the CRISP project, and details the short-term strategies (1-2 years) to achieve the CRISP goals and objectives. The Short-Term Action Plan could be used as a stand-alone document and included with other BCPOS documentation (such as staff onboarding materials) to demonstrate BCPOS’s commitment to cultural responsiveness and inclusivity.

Project Background From the start of the project, BCPOS identified the following goals for the CRISP:

1. Help the Parks & Open Space department better understand the needs, desires, and experiences of underserved communities, focusing on the Latinx community, as they relate to parks and open space.

2. Begin to create pathways to those communities and discover ways to build better, lasting relationships within the communities.

3. Recommend strategies to fit the vision and insights of the CRISP into the day-to-day work of all Parks & Open Space staff.

At the beginning of the work, BCPOS developed this Mission Statement for the CRISP:

Through the CRISP process, BCPOS will work alongside Latinx community members, staff, and experts to co-create a new vision and strategy for our programs, services, and activities to ensure that they are welcoming, inclusive, and responsive and provide more equitable access to BCPOS services, programs, and resources for all.

BCPOS will strive to leverage existing relationships, identify new opportunities for collaboration, and demonstrate responsiveness to the community in order to increase capacity and become a trusted partner.

In addition, CRISP will provide a roadmap for internal and external inclusive practices related to work culture, outreach methods, and implementation of actions for all BCPOS work groups.

Ultimately, it is our hope that the CRISP project will serve as a model for Boulder County as well as other communities and results in a lasting, productive, and on-going partnership with the Latinx community.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CwjMEoUavR16_YH8sCDdsnvkDZZsU4_S/view?usp=sharing

Note: This project consisted in developing a Strategic Plan with a focus on the Latinx community, which will serve, if successful, as a model for engaging other marginalized and underserved communities in Boulder County.

Parks & Open Space Department Mission The Parks & Open Space Department’s mission is to conserve natural, cultural, and agricultural resources and provide public uses that reflect sound resource management and community values.

Goals

1. To preserve rural lands and buffers.

2. To preserve and restore natural resources for the benefit of the environment and the public.

3. To provide public outreach, partnerships, and volunteer opportunities to increase awareness and appreciation of Boulder County’s open space.

4. To protect, restore, and interpret cultural resources for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations.

5. To provide quality recreational experiences while protecting open space resources.

6. To promote and provide for sustainable agriculture in Boulder County for the natural, cultural, and economic values it provides.

7. To develop human resources potential, employ sustainable and sound business practices, and pursue technological advancements.

For more information about Parks and Open Space, please visit their website. In addition, you can find the Parks and Open Space organization chart (as of March 8, 2021) and a description of the specific responsibilities of each of the 9 divisions of BCPOS in Appendix 1.

Trestle Strategy Group’s Team To work on the incredible opportunity that this project represented, Trestle Strategy Group put together a team of experts with complementary skills, each dedicated to addressing issues of equity and inclusion for Boulder County’s Latinx community, as well as the many other diverse members of our community.

The chart below shows the Trestle team configuration.

http://www.bouldercountyopenspace.org

For more information on the Trestle team member’s backgrounds and experience, please refer to the Appendix 2.

The Importance of the CRISP We know that nature provides us with a wealth of benefits; an outdoor experience benefits our physical, mental and social well-being; nature can bring people together – farmers, families, community groups, people from different walks of life; experiences in the outdoors also link us to our history and cultural heritage and our spiritual values. And yet, even though Boulder County has tremendous open space resources and opportunities, some of us do not have access to it or feel included and welcome, even though they should. The CRISP initiative is about supporting the quality of life that Parks & Open Space provides for everyone by providing a cultural responsiveness and inclusion lens to all BCPOS does.

From stewarding natural, cultural, agricultural, and recreational resources to leading educational and volunteer programs to providing a variety of related services for the public, BCPOS presents opportunities for all of us to experience the beauty, awesome power, and ultimately, the central value of nature to our lives, through outdoor experiences, education, job and business opportunities, or the use of agricultural properties. BCPOS facilities can support family and community celebrations and events.

Latinx youth can find opportunities for experiences in programs, as volunteers, or get job experiences and ideas for careers through internships.

But the mere existence of these wonderful outdoor spaces and opportunities is not enough. There are many factors that impede the access of the Latinx and other marginalized communities to these spaces.

These factors can include a simple lack of awareness of these outdoor spaces or the associated opportunities, but also include the experience of not feeling welcome, not feeling a sense of belonging, not having enough time, and many other factors. This lack of access for the Latinx community, the reasons for it, and what BCPOS can do about it are the reasons for this initiative.

While BCPOS has much to do to address this lack of access, the county had the foresight to address this issue head on and to realize that addressing the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) can’t simply be addressed by hiring one diverse staff member who is tasked with solving the problem or in fielding a few targeted programs directed at the community.

In our work with BCPOS during the past few months, we have found the staff to understand they have much to do and to recognize that both internal and external changes are needed. A handful of temporary, public facing activities or events will not do. As you shall see in this report, BCPOS has embraced a comprehensive approach by developing the internal foundation for change while taking steps to commit to long-term changes including sustainable partnerships with the Latinx community, sharing power with the community, and working towards making all aspects of BCPOS resources and programs accessible to all.

A Note on the Term “Latinx” and Intersectionality The term Latinx is gaining traction but is mostly used by activists, students, and academics, in an effort to be gender and LGBTQ inclusive. In fact, many Hispanic and Latino Americans don’t necessarily identify with the term, and it is not a term that is used in Spanish.

However, in addition to being gender inclusive, the term Latinx acknowledges the multi-racial and multicultural nature of the Hispanic community, which is very diverse and far from monolithic. It encapsulates over 20 countries throughout the Americas. For example, one individual can identify as indigenous, Mexican, and American, all at once. This brings us to the importance of intersectionality and the need to recognize that multiple identities can apply to one individual. Understanding intersectionality can also help us understand social inequalities, forms of oppression, and socio-cultural perspectives.

Thus, for the purposes of this report and the CRISP work, and for a lack of a term that would be more universally recognized, we will be using the term “Latinx” in an effort to be as inclusive as we can. BCPOS, however, acknowledges and respects that not everyone will connect with this term and welcomes community members and individuals to define themselves.

Keep in mind that language holds the power to unite or divide. In order to make every member of the community feel accepted, make sure to ask which is the term of preference (Latinx, Latino, Hispanic, Mexican American, other?) to show respect while being appropriate and inclusive.

Acknowledgements We would like to express our profound gratitude to all that have been involved in the development of this plan and showed support and interest, and in particular:

● Ernst Strenge, Senior Planner in the Resource Planning Division, who served as the BCPOS project manager for the CRISP and as a member of the CRISP Working Group, and has been incredibly helpful, attentive, and organized. It was a real pleasure to work with Ernst over the last year.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/love-it-hate-it-latinx-points-future-writes-author-ed-n912581?icid=related https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/latinx-elitist-some-push-back-word-s-growing-use-n957036 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/latinx-elitist-some-push-back-word-s-growing-use-n957036 https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare https://www.ketchum.com/the-great-latinx-debate/

● The other CRISP Working Group (WG) members, for their stewardship, pertinent questions and ideas, and commitment to doing the work. The WG includes 10 volunteers from different work groups and divisions within the BCPOS department:

○ Bevin Carithers, Chief Park Ranger, Resource Protection Work Group, Resource Management Division

○ Pascale Fried, Supervisor, Education & Outreach Work Group, Resource Management Division

○ Renata Frye, Administrative Coordinator, Public Information & Engagement Work Group, Director’s Office

○ Carrie Inoshita, Business Analyst, GIS & Technology Work Group, Resource Planning Division

○ Brigitte Klaube, Administrative Lead Tech, Administration Work Group & Division

○ Laura Larson, Director, CSU Extension - Boulder County

○ Mary Olson, Landscape Architect, Project Management & Design Work Group, Recreation and Facilities Division

○ Lisa Steele, Real Estate Assistant, Real Estate Work Group & Division

○ Tim Zych, Project Coordinator, Project Management & Design Work Group, Recreation and

Facilities Division

● Our fantastic Latinx and community partners, for their leadership, generosity, and constant dedication to their community:

○ Monserrat Alvarez Matehuala, Latino Outdoors Colorado

○ Perla Delgado, Executive Director, "I Have A Dream" Foundation of Boulder County

○ Alma García, Youth and Family Services Program Coordinator, City of Boulder

○ Bianca García, Program Coordinator, Latino Outdoors Colorado

○ Virginia Garcia Ovejero Pivik, Communications Consultant, Spokesperson, TV & Radio

Productions, Journalism

○ Mara Mintzer, Co-Founder and Program Director, Growing Up Boulder

○ Fernando Piñeda-Reyes, Chief Executive Officer, CREA Results

○ Alejandra Spray, Business Development Manager - Community Engagement, Mortenson.

The CRISP development was a collective effort, as much as the CRISP implementation will be from BCPOS as a department and BCPOS staff as individuals.

Thanks for reading, Danica Powell Founder & Owner Trestle Strategy Group

Marine Siohan Project Manager Trestle Strategy Group

Marina LaGrave Founder

CLACE

Robert Russel Consultant

CLACE

Project Approach and Methodology The Trestle team has taken a holistic approach in the research and engagement activities conducted for the project:

● First, there is a wealth of research and practice on the challenges faced by organizations aiming at equitably serving marginalized communities such as Latinx;. This has provided one rich source for defining important issues and effective strategies for addressing these issues.

● Second, community outreach and engagement is another critical element of the background work. The goals of the CRISP noted the importance of understanding the “lived experiences” of Latinx. The only route to understanding these personal and community experiences is through direct engagement with the community.

● Third, the project engaged directly with BCPOS staff and leadership to better understand perspectives of those working within the organization and to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of BCPOS. This has provided starting points for recommending the work that BCPOS needs to undertake to be successful addressing the challenges of better engaging with the Latinx community.

Against this background, the project approach focused on three main areas of work:

● Research: The first step of the project included reviewing existing documentation and research on the use of public spaces by typically underrepresented communities, Latinx participation in various place-based recreation or entertainment venues, Latinx media consumption, factors affecting levels and types of participation, and how the nature of the design of a program (e.g.

language used, presence of culturally relevant themes, etc.) plays a role in the extent and types of participation among Latinx. In addition, the Trestle team put together an “Awareness Session” to provide BCPOS staff with additional contextual elements on Latinx families, culture, values, traditions, customs, and challenges. The analysis of foundational documents published by BCPOS (visitor studies) and the review of literature, along with the “Awareness Session”, provide a foundational knowledge base to guide BCPOS efforts to address EDI and suggest guidelines for effective EDI practices in BCPOS amenities, resources, and planning.

● Outreach and Engagement: Outreach and engagement with the Latinx community and leaders, partners, and BCPOS staff were at the core of the CRISP development. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project team had to adapt to a virtual environment and to implement an iterative approach in working with both the community and staff, that relied mostly on online meetings and on some smaller, ad hoc in-person “experiences” (more details are provided in the next section). Nevertheless, we had multiple opportunities to learn from and collaborate with BCPOS staff (staff questionnaire, core group facilitated discussions) and invite and co-create with Latinx partners (outdoor experiences, partner workshops).

● Project Management: Throughout the project, we met regularly with BCPOS project manager Ernst Strenge, the CRISP working group, and the management team (BCPOS director and division managers), to provide updates on the project progress, gather feedback from BCPOS, and co-create the best project approach to fit the needs of the department and adapt to the COVID-19 context. This ensured strong and consistent communication, shared expectations, and effective collaboration. It has truly been a pleasure to work with all of the BCPOS staff involved in the project, and we really hope the CRISP will be a useful tool for the department to become more culturally responsive, diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

The following diagram illustrates the iterative approach to each of the three areas of work that we used, each informing the others and the final CRISP recommendations. In particular, the research and outreach and engagement activities provide a foundation of understanding and awareness for every BCPOS staff member engaged in this work.

How to Use This Report All research, outreach, and engagement material, including meeting agendas and notes, slide decks, and reports, have been grouped together in three pdf documents for ease of access. Please click on the following links to access the different “intermediate” project deliverables:

1. Research Deliverables

2. Outreach and Engagement Deliverables

3. Project Management Deliverables

Direct links to research references and project reports will be provided throughout this document.

Readers will be able to access the original planning documents, research, and other resources that contributed to the findings and recommendations provided in the CRISP. In this way, readers can learn more about the many topics discussed in this report, use the information to guide follow-up CRISP planning, and to provoke critical thinking about the recommendations. We hope that this report provides a foundation of understanding and awareness for every staff member, so that all staff can contribute to the successful launch and ultimate success of the CRISP.

The work that went into the preparation of the CRISP is only a first step for BCPOS. Taking the time to review the materials developed through this process and presented herein will help staff become more aware of the diversity of the Latinx community and better understand the strengths and value of partnership building and co-creation. Likewise, reviewing the deliverables will also help staff better understand and grasp the final recommendations of this report and find a way to implementation, ultimately moving the department closer to the cultural responsiveness and inclusivity outcomes they desire, both through internal and external work. In this way, the CRISP provides a road map for BCPOS to better understand the Latinx community, build relationships, and take specific actions in the next several years.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tlP-2AUNUR3392xZtWZbeLYBtWgIqSyu/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/10rK6Cts7ckRcCFXW2x9zhwwSZD74MlxN/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SVB4oV3b7lwEXdnh322gktMJmLXRUd5T/view?usp=sharing

Summary of Research For the CRISP initiative, two summaries of research were developed. The first, Review of Foundational Documents, is a review of a series of surveys, conducted primarily by BCPOS, of visitors to BCPOS properties. The second is a wider ranging Literature Review of a variety of research studies and surveys that looks at Latinx demographics, culture, language, media use, and factors influencing Latinx use of parks and outdoor spaces. Summaries of these two reports, along with an Overview Brief of Boulder County Latinx and an Awareness Session providing information on Latinx cultures, follow.

BCPOS staff should use these research findings as tools and resources to develop their awareness and understanding of the Latinx community, and as they begin to develop partnerships with and co-create experiences and resources that are designed to increase the engagement of Latinx in BCPOS.

Findings from the Review of Foundational Documents Surveys included in the review of Foundational Documents assessed Latinx visitor attitudes towards their experiences on BCPOS properties. A total of fourteen studies were reviewed. Most focused on BCPOS;

two focused on larger regions including Boulder County. While these surveys included a few selected findings from participating Latinx, only two of the surveys assess attitudes of the Latinx community and these only address the opinions of Latinx community members who already visit BCPOS or other parks (i.e., one survey is regional and not confined to BCPOS).

The full Foundational Document analysis report that provides a summary of each document can be found here. The reports are publicly available and were provided to us by BCPOS; for ease of access all the reports can be found here.

The key findings are that:

● Latinx visitation to BCPOS was less than half their proportion of the overall population. For example, in the 2015 visitation study, 6% of visitors identified as Latinx, whereas in the Boulder County Census, 14% of the overall population identified as Latinx.

● Latinx who did visit BCPOS visited about as frequently and for many of the same reasons as the general population.

● Latinx compared with non-Latinx visitors reported participating in higher levels of children’s activities, picnicking and grilling, and sports.

● With respect to amenities, a large proportion of Latinx recommended more shelters, more picnic tables, more grills, more canopies, and more facilities such as playgrounds for children.

● Most Latinx visitors go to BCPOS by car.

● While Latinx respondents identified a variety of barriers to visiting open spaces/parks, few were rated as strong barriers and a relatively low proportion of respondents indicated an inability to overcome them.

● Latinx reported that their communication needs included information on maps, trails, open hours, and rules and regulations, with interest also expressed in educational signage and that bilingual signage was preferred.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LZjOw5wsWPHcpiivzMiTnogGxgvUQ0t0/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pZLjbBenb6SGAyUh8oDzhG0v23l7rhYR?usp=sharing

In the two surveys that focused on Latinx who did visit BCPOS or other outdoor spaces, the findings may be considered valid for only those who visit and are not representative of the great majority of Latinx who don’t visit. In brief, these surveys did not address some important questions:

● Why don’t a great majority of Latinx community members visit county open space or participate in educational or volunteer programs?

● What experiences, programs, and amenities would Latinx non-visitors like BCPOS to provide?

● What are the most effective ways to communicate BCPOS resources, programs, and experiences to Latinx community members who do not currently visit county open space or participate in educational or volunteer programs?

● What other ways do members of the Latinx community want to engage with BCPOS, including through agriculture, stewardship of resources, or job opportunities?

Research Literature Review To provide a foundational knowledge base about Latinx for the CRISP, the Trestle team conducted an extensive search of relevant research literature, surveys, and reports. This information can guide BCPOS efforts to address EDI in the planning and implementation of amenities, resources, programs, and services. The report presents a variety of relevant data from across the nation, followed by a focused look at data on Boulder County’s Latinx community. While there is great diversity among Latinx communities across the country, there is significant research on outdoor experiences, health issues, and other topics that can inform the CRISP recommendations.

Below is a summary of the Research Literature Review, that highlights its key findings. The full report can be found here. In addition, the Literature Review was presented to BCPOS staff during a webinar on October 7, 2020 (see a screenshot of the Q&A portion of the webinar to the right); you can watch the webinar recording here.

Latinx Demographics Latinx are the largest ethnic/cultural group in the US, comprising nearly 20% of the US population. Demographic forecasts project that the Latinx population will continue to grow larger. Within the next 20 years, whites will comprise less than half of the US population, with the balance comprised of Latinx, African-Americans, and other ethnic/racial communities.

Latinx are, on the average, younger and their families larger than for other major US racial/ethnic groups. The future trend for families in all groups is to decrease in size, although Latinx are projected to still have larger families through the next two to three decades.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xaEAN1cwVP3vMmd6NWtm7ekhNnmQfj62/view?usp=sharing https://vimeo.com/465930481

There is great diversity within the Latinx community in the US. While nearly ⅔ of Latinx are Mexican by origin/cultural background, Latinx come from over 20 countries throughout the Americas. Latinx of Cuban or Puerto Rican origin are the next largest groups. (Note: Puerto Ricans are not immigrants.)

The proportion of Latinx in the population across the 50 US states varies, with large concentrations in areas such as Florida and greater New York. The highest proportion of Latinx reside in Western and Southwest states. However, in recent years, the Latinx population has grown at greater rates in states such as Georgia, North Carolina, and midwestern states throughout the United States.

Latinx Identity, Culture, and Language There is no uniform Latinx identity. Like everyone else, Latinx define themselves through many lenses (for example culture, gender, sexual orientation, generation, etc.). With respect to culture/ethnicity, half of Latinx self-identify primarily with their familial culture or country of origin. Self-identification with culture of origin decreases by generation of residence in the US. This is similar to the pattern followed by other ethnic/cultural groups who have emigrated to the US in past years. The term Latinx is mostly used by young members of the community.

Familismo (family) is a central element among Latinx. Familismo, the strong connection to and sense of responsibility for family members, is a traditional value of Latinx families. It provides individuals with a great source of strength and support, but also exerts pressure to conform to traditional roles regarding gender, well-being of the family, problem-solving inside the family, and resisting interference from outside the family. Close family friends may have Como familia (like family) relationships with non-relatives.

Among Latinx, English language proficiency increases with length of residency in the US and generation. Latinx who are bilingual use Spanish or English depending on context, such as at work, speaking to peers, parents, or grandparents. Over 70% of Latinx speak Spanish at home. Over 70% of Latinx are proficient in English.

Latinx Health and Parks Latinx have less access to health care and experience disparities in health status compared to the general population. Latinx suffer higher rates of diabetes, untreated blood pressure, chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis. Fewer Latinx have health insurance, especially those with low-income status. Lack of health insurance, language issues, and lack of culturally appropriate health care impair Latinx access to health care and services. COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on Latinx (higher infection rates and more deaths per 100,000).

¡Vamos a Disfrutar del Aire Libre! (Enjoy the Fresh Air!) Research has shown that experiences in the outdoors can improve health status by:

1. Reducing stress, depression, and mental health concerns;

2. Improving feelings of well-being, resiliency, and quality of life;

3. Providing options for physical activity and exercise where walkable natural areas occur;

4. Contributing to children’s physical, social, and emotional development; and

5. Improving mood and restoring attention.

In brief, outdoor activities directly address some of the significant health disparities experienced by Latinx, including, diabetes, asthma, obesity, and mental health issues.

Latinx Access to Parks Latinx have less access to parks and open space. Latinx visit parks and participate in park programs and activities significantly less than the general population. One reason is that Latinx, people of color, and other marginalized communities are often confronted with racist attitudes in public settings, including parks. Many Latinx work multiple jobs involving physical labor, leaving them tired and with little time to engage in leisure activities. Park planning has often excluded Latinx and other minority communities, resulting in fewer parks and outdoor spaces that are easily accessible to these communities.

Parks may not create a welcoming environment for Latinx. Language issues and lack of communication may prevent many Latinx from being aware of the many benefits of visiting parks and participating in programs. Once there, many Latinx may not feel welcome in a park because they see few Latinx at the park. They may not be greeted with bilingual signage or bicultural staff, which could send a welcoming message and help with wayfinding and knowing what experiences are available. (Nearly all other BCPOS information, such as the BCPOS website with information on trails, amenities, etc., is all in English.) Amenities that may be important for accommodating the leisure preferences of Latinx may be lacking (e.g. soccer fields, areas for large family gatherings, etc.). Latinx may not feel safe in an unfamiliar environment.

Developing culturally relevant and accessible outdoor experiences can help Latinx find meaning by linking these activities with traditional Latinx cultural values (e.g. familismo, outdoor family experiences).

Effective Practices for Creating a Welcoming Presence for Latinx There are many practices that can contribute to creating a welcoming presence and environment to increase engagement and participation in activities and programs for Latinx.

Effective Communication

● Utilize bilingual communication: many Latinx access information in Spanish.

● Practice transcreation, i.e. professional translation of material for meaning, rather than word for word, to provide more accurate and culturally grounded adaptation of English into Spanish.

● Target communication to specific audiences, taking age levels, language, generation, media use, and acculturation into account.

● Make communication strategic: Latinx access information using a variety of media and through many personal and community connections.

Intercultural Communication and Partnering

● Provide ongoing professional development for staff in intercultural communication.

● Recruit staff, volunteers, and facilitators from the Latinx community.

● Develop partnerships with Latinx leaders, cultural brokers, and community organizations, including schools, businesses, and faith-based organizations.

● Share power and decision making with the Latinx community.

● Take account of Latinx leisure preferences and make cultural connections in planning.

● Work through or with trusted members (and organizations) from the Latinx community.

Cultural and Personal Relevance

● Identify culturally relevant and responsive content for use in BCPOS.

● Co-create with the Latinx community.

● Plan for families.

● Build on the cultural assets and knowledge of the Latinx community.

● Increase employment of Latinx staff and recruit Latinx volunteers to help create a familiar and welcoming presence.

● Use an experience planning approach – from communication to amenities to staff -- in designing customer services meeting Latinx interests and needs.

● Address safety concerns.

● Support and provide career opportunities for Latinx in environmental science, environmental education, conservation, and land management.

Background Brief on Latinx in Boulder County

● Latinx are the largest ethnic/racial minority group in Boulder County: An estimated 43,000 (or

14%) of Boulder County’s population of over 330,000 are Latinx, but the proportion varies significantly across communities, ranging from 9% in Boulder and 17% in Lafayette to 27% in Longmont.

● A great majority of Boulder County Latinx families speak Spanish at home, even though a majority have at least some fluency in English. Ten percent of Boulder Valley District Schools (BVSD) Latinx students and 14% of St. Vrain Valley District Schools (SVVSD) Latinx students are English-language learners.

● Most Boulder County Latinx work, but median household income of Boulder County Latinx is lower than that of whites. Latinx labor force participation is slightly higher, at 72%, than whites, at 68%. Latinx household income is $46,388, compared to $75,802 for whites. Nearly 20% of Boulder County Latinx are in poverty, as compared with 11% among white residents (World Population Review, 2020, Boulder Trends, 2017-2019). Nearly one-third (32%) of Latinx children in Boulder County are from low-income families (American Community Survey, 2015). It is estimated that a per year self-sufficiency income of $75,906 is needed for a family of two adults and one preschool child in Boulder County.

● Most Boulder County residents, including Latinx, have health insurance. Medicaid expansion from 2013 to 2017 reduced Boulder County’s uninsured rate to only 4% of the population.

● A significant proportion of Boulder County students are Latinx: Currently 30% of the 32,171 students in SVVSD and 19% of the 31,189 students in BVSD are Latinx.

● Closing the education gap between Latinx and Anglo students is an important objective of the school systems in Boulder County. There is a significant academic achievement gap when Latinx children are compared with white children. Only 47% of Latinx students pursue higher education, compared with 71% of white students (Boulder Trends, 2017-2019). The Boulder County Community has responded by initiating projects such as the Latinx-led ELPASO (Engaged Latino Parents Advancing Student Outcomes) and the I Have a Dream Foundation of Boulder County to https://www.elpasomovement.org/ https://bouldercounty.ihdf.org/ support the education of Latinx students through parent involvement, scholarships, and other strategies.

Awareness Session As a tool to help build intercultural communication, the Trestle team put together an “Awareness Session” to provide BCPOS staff with additional contextual elements on Latinx families, culture, values, traditions, customs & challenges, and discuss the following topics:

● Concepts of Intercultural Communication

● Traits of Latinx Families

● Traits of Latinx Culture

● Latinx Traditions

● Stepping Into the Culture

The Awareness Session was presented to BCPOS staff as a recorded webinar so they could watch it at their leisure. You can access the webinar slide deck here and the webinar script here.

https://vimeo.com/477708297 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rmIBkVUsnOs1gBh3-br6hbnnkYviBojH/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ujD6n0xVhDvlYmDjG6tvQdC2xFEQ5a0c/view?usp=sharing

Summary of Outreach and Engagement Activities The outreach and engagement activities were designed to obtain the perspectives of BCPOS staff, partners, and the Latinx community, with respect to the goals and desired outcomes of the CRISP. They were essential components of the development of the plan and the project team had originally envisioned them to be a part of a holistic asset mapping approach. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the outreach and engagement activities were limited to virtual meetings and small in-person outdoor gatherings, which prevented the implementation of the full asset mapping process. Please refer to the Asset Mapping section below and a more detailed Appendix 4 to find out how BCPOS can incorporate this approach in the implementation of the CRISP in the future.

By working with staff and leaders in the Latinx community, the outreach and engagement activities, in conjunction with the research, helped ground the final CRISP recommendations and made them relevant to BCPOS (rather than being generic recommendations). Thus, the recommendations, while informed by the findings from across the country with respect to research and practice, are for BCPOS. The observations, suggestions, and ideas that resulted from these activities have been organized around the framework provided in the Recommendations section.

A list of Outreach and Engagement Meetings & Activities can be found in Appendix 3.

BCPOS Staff Initial Engagement Over the first half of the project (February to June, 2020), Trestle/CLACE surveyed BCPOS staff and held planning sessions with BCPOS staff concerning their roles and responsibilities, the way they currently work with and for the Latinx community, how they perceive the Latinx community is currently utilizing BCPOS programs, services, and amenities, and what untapped opportunities may be used to support inclusion and engagement. This was also an opportunity to present the CRISP project to staff and answer questions. A purposeful BCPOS staff sample across departments (n = 67) was asked to respond to a questionnaire; 47 responses were received. To follow up on the themes that emerged from the questionnaire, Trestle/CLACE developed a structure and facilitated a series of discussions, one for each of the six core areas of BCPOS.

Key findings from these two activities are provided below:

Resources: Staff identified the following departmental needs to move the CRISP forward:

● Dedicate sufficient resources (funding, staffing, etc.) to support real change

● Hire bilingual, bicultural staff

● Seek grant funding for expanded programs and amenities for Latinx community

● Partner with other county departments & jurisdictions that are already doing this type of work

● Offer intercultural communication professional development for staff

● Be ready to re-allocate resources once priorities are identified

Planning & Activities: Staff identified the following opportunities to better engage with the Latinx community:

● Involve Latinx in BCPOS planning

● Public meetings & advisory groups (e.g. POSAC) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aJkTQQhMFBim9j8391wQOBAM0CnzYh7G/view?usp=sharing

● Program design

● Property acquisition plans

● Design of amenities

● Building an effective model for developing partnerships with the Latinx community

● Determine what programs, services, and amenities are of interest/importance to the Latinx community

● Exploring agricultural assets relevant to Latinx

● Expanding programs that spark career interest in BCPOS professions:

○ Internship programs for Latinx

○ School field trip programs

Communication: Staff identified the following communication needs and opportunities:

● Develop overall communications strategy to reach the Latinx community

● Opportunity to create bilingual communications (brochures, website) in the near future. Use bilingual and culturally appropriate documentation:

○ Inviting and accessible website

○ Reservation system (website & phone)

○ Signage

○ Documents

○ Promote free BCPOS programs and amenities

○ Share contract and employment opportunities

○ Provide information on bus & bike transportation to BCPOS trailheads and properties

○ Use professional interpreters at advisory meetings

Implementation: Staff identified the following other essential needs for successful implementation of the

CRISP:

● Commitment from the management team…