Specifications include, but are not limited to: Task 1. Scope of Work: The consultant will finalize the project approach, scope, and schedule with the county prior to final contracting. This will include developing an ongoing project coordination plan to facilitate meetings and monitor progress and schedule to ensure that the EIB Plan is completed within an efficient and realistic project schedule. The consultant will lead the external equity team. The consultant will meet, align, and agree with Project Leadership Team.; Deliverables & Meetings: Consultant Work Plan; Propose a budget to accomplish the needed activities; Project Schedule, including meetings and milestones; Regular meetings with core County Project Leadership Team; Agendas and minutes for all meetings should be kept, shared, and stored in a project repository; Task 2. Stakeholder Engagement: Consultant shall engage county leaders, community members, activists, county employees, the county board and committees, and partner organizations in the development of the EIB Plan to collect ideas, values, histories, and other feedback from a diverse audience and to help ensure that recommended strategies are targeted, intentional, and effective. The goal is to ensure that stakeholders have an opportunity to engage in both the creation and implementation of the EIB Plan. The Consultant will use the information gathered during stakeholder engagement to help determine the goals and strategies for the EIB Plan.; Identify barriers and mitigation strategies to participation for marginalized communities.; Create easy forums for people of all abilities to be heard and offer feedback and insight.; Identify resources and accountability measures for inclusive engagement. (Language interpretation, ADA accommodations, analog and digital tools, days/times/venues of meetings, stipends, etc.); Design the engagement around the most vulnerable populations and ensure that the methods and tools are easily understood, culturally appropriate, and accessible.; Deliverables & Meetings: Stakeholder Engagement Plan, including recommendations of other key stakeholders and the best ways to communicate with them.; Meetings with key stakeholders, community groups, etc. Number of meetings to be determined by project plan; County Boards and Commissions; Activist Organizations; Task 3. Create Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Plan (EIB Plan): The consultant will collaborate with La Crosse County staff to develop an organizational workplan (EIB Plan) to address and dismantle systemic racism. La Crosse County’s EIB Plan will serve as the primary guiding document for the county to identify and address long-standing policies, systemic inequities, and develop a roadmap that will build a more just and inclusive community. Through the EIB Plan, the county aims to identify and remove barriers to the quality of life for La Crosse County residents. The consultant will lead the creation and facilitate the implementation of strategies to identify and close the equity gaps for people from diverse backgrounds. The consultant will engage county leaders, community members, and partner organizations, focusing particularly on listening to and reflecting the needs of traditionally underrepresented populations. The steps to develop an EIB Plan include: In collaboration with La Crosse County Human Resources, conduct an assessment of the internal policy and procedures to identify existing disparities in La Crosse County and developing strategies that ensure racial equity is a core element of La Crosse County’s practice. Assist in the development or modification of policies that improve the wellbeing of all residents, advance social justice and eliminate systemic racism.; In collaboration with La Crosse County leadership, develop a roadmap, process, or mechanism for all La Crosse County employees to be able to view processes or policies through a lens that focuses on inclusivity. The EIB Plan will identify metrics, milestones or targets of success within the plan. Train staff on how to apply the Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging framework to policies, programs, and services.; Work with La Crosse County to build alliances and partnerships to improve wellbeing and increase success rates in communities of color, women, immigrants and refugees, and other marginalized communities. Primary areas of focus are human services, health, criminal justice, economic development, neighborhood development and parks. Utilize the roadmap, process, or mechanism in #2, to aid in building alliances and partnerships. Identify available metrics in each area to establish the baseline and to measure progress and success towards achieving the strategies include gathering relevant data and disaggregating data to identify disproportionate impacts by racial, ethnic, and economic demographics.; Deliverables & Meetings: La Crosse County EIB Plan to include elements listed above and others as suggested by the Consultant or identified through community engagement and agreed to by the County's Steering Committee/Implementation Team.; Presentations to the county administrator, county board chair, and La Crosse County Board of Supervisors, and other groups as determined through the EIB Plan creation process.; Public meetings to present the EIB Plan to the county and communities.