DOJ Focuses on Helping Disadvantaged Communities in Equity Action Plan
The Department of Justice (DOJ), like other agencies across the federal government, released its annual Equity Action Plan. The plan reviews diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) successes in the prior year and will “help guide” equity strategies and goals in fiscal year (FY) 2024.
The annual action plans are required under President Biden’s Executive Order 14091, which directs the federal government to continue to work to support rural communities, communities of color, Tribal communities, LGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, women and girls, and communities impacted by persistent poverty.
DOJ’s equity action plan is rooted in the “Department’s commitment to aiding all people – including historically marginalized and underserved communities – in accessing the Department’s programs and resources, navigating complex legal and regulatory hurdles to vindicate their rights, understanding the breadth of the Department’s work, and meaningfully engaging with Justice Department decision-makers.”
In its summary, DOJ hailed progress in FY 2023. That includes holding meetings and listening sessions with members of disadvantaged communities to ensure that “DOJ’s programs, activities, and equity work are accessible, effective, and impactful.”
The FY 2024 plan hinges on five strategies that build upon that effort.
“The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that our programs and services reach every community that needs them,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.
DOJ’s Five Strategies for Equity Action
1. Funding- Removing barriers to grant funding and resources for organizations that serve historically marginalized and undeserved communities, including communities disproportionately impacted by crime.
2. Supporting Reentry- Supporting corrections and reentry programs to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes. That includes reducing barriers to obtaining government-issued ID, improving access to healthcare coverage, and addressing burdens associated with the inability to pay fines and fees.
3. Representation- Promoting an inclusive, diverse, and expert law enforcement workforce to strengthen public trust and improve public safety outcomes. A main pillar in this strategy is to ensure proper representation in law enforcement for underrepresented communities.
4. Response- Improving the response of law enforcement to crimes that disproportionately affect women, girls, transgender individuals, and gender non-conforming people. The plan is to provide targeted training on how to investigate and prosecute such crimes, as well as training on culturally responsive approaches.
5. Environmental Justice- Ensuring that underserved communities are aware of and able to access legal services to address environmental crime, pollution, and other environmental hazards, and ensuring they can navigate the legal landscape to secure access to clean water, air, and other natural resources.
The release of the Equity Action Plans come as the White House recently convened cabinet members, public and private stakeholders, and others, to discuss the whole-of-government equity agenda.
The event marked the first anniversary of President Biden’s second executive order on equity.