Virginia Institute of Government

Local Government Equity Clinic

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Equity Clinic Graduation

The Local Government Equity Clinic leverages the expertise and resources of the University and a nationwide network of subject matter experts and practitioners who use data to inform best practices and policies for the public good. The Clinic serves local government staff and leaders who are interested learning how to think critically about governance, data, and equitable decision making. 

The Local Government Equity Clinic Team is available to provide onsite consulting to your employees. We will work with you to develop a sequence of sessions that will best support your organization. 

The Local Government Equity Clinic is a collaboration between the Virginia Institute of Government and the School of Data Science at the University of Virginia. The program leverages the expertise and resources of both organizations in alignment with shared goals around data for the public good and equipping communities with tools to promote good governance, equity, and resiliency.

“The Local Government Equity Clinic is more than just having a conversation. Sometimes it can be hard to transform mission statements into action. Our purpose is to better understand what it means to ‘apply an equity lens’ in practice and to increase confidence in articulating that process to other people.”

Siri Russell, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
School of Data Science and Special Advisor on Equitable Government Strategy to The Virginia Institute of Government

 The Equity Clinic team has experience working with localities that: 

  • are looking to move from inspiration to action
  • want to increase their ability to articulate the benefit of equity-minded actions in their organization/department/unit
  • want to leverage decision making and evaluation to better serve their communities and expand their personal/professional network of local government professionals similarly invested in building equitable communities
  • are interested in gaining competency around creating and operationalizing goals related to equity and change

What Can the Equity Clinic Help You Do?

Foundations & Framing 

What does the idea of equity mean? 

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in local government
  • Considering structures and the role of local government in diversity, equity, and inclusion
Change Management

How do you apply this understanding to challenges in local government? 

  • Theory of Change
  • Change management tools
Data & Impact 

Applications in Local Government

  • Think critically about committees, strategic planning, etc. 
  • Direct and Indirect Impact 
  • Appropriate goal setting with action steps
Inclusive Leadership 
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Psychological Safety 
  • Leadership at All Levels

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