Lacey — The Human Services Commission on Nov. 6 reviewed a summary of a regional DEIB meeting that brought together staff and advisory board members from nearby jurisdictions to identify opportunities for collaboration.

Shannon (staff member) and Michelle (staff member) summed up the September gathering, reporting participation by representatives from Tumwater, Olympia and Thurston County and noting the meeting produced concrete suggestions: hold joint meetings quarterly or twice a year, rotate hosting among jurisdictions, co-staff outreach tables at community events, create an informal regional newsletter to share best practices, and develop mentorship opportunities for advisory-board members and staff.

"We were able to get an update on kind of where everybody was at, what they're focused on, what they're doing," Shannon said, describing break-out discussions that explored shared goals, challenges and short-term actionable items.

Commissioners broadly supported quarterly meetings as a way to maintain momentum and build collaborative projects. Several Commissioners asked staff to return with a proposed schedule and suggestions for how the regional meetings could comply with the Open Public Meetings Act if recordings or joint work are pursued. Staff said recording policy and public-meeting requirements differ by jurisdiction and that the question could be an agenda topic for a future regional meeting.

Members also discussed opportunities to involve Human Services Commission members in upcoming focus groups, to conduct site visits or "roadshows" to grantee programs, and to publicize successes in the Lacey Weekly newsletter. Staff said they will return with dates for focus groups and proposed outreach events so commissioners can sign up to assist.

Ending: Commissioners agreed the regional DEIB work merits ongoing engagement and supported staff's plan to pursue quarterly meetings and to involve commission members in outreach and site visits in early 2026.