Housing agency improves diversity.

Byline: Jeff Wright The Register-Guard

Representatives from Lane County's housing agency said Wednesday that they are making good progress in promoting workplace diversity in the wake of a former employee's lawsuit, since settled, that alleged racial insensitivity.

All employees at the Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County have received six hours of diversity training, a diversity committee has been reactivated, and a staff survey on ways to improve diversity has been conducted, agency manager Dorothy Cummings said.

"We're moving along, we have plans and ideas, and are making progress," Cummings told the county Board of Commissioners. Cummings, the agency's administrative services director, is chairwoman of the eight-member diversity panel.

On Monday, consultant Frances Portillo of Portland will meet with the diversity committee to review minority hiring practices. Portillo also led the previous staff sessions on cultural diversity.

The agency agreed to hire Portillo as part of its settlement agreement with former employee Rachel Parra, a bilingual office assistant who had filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination and workplace harassment.

Parra's suit had sought damages of $7.2 million. The suit was settled in October for $133,000, with Parra agreeing to resign her job and release all claims against the agency. The agency in turn agreed to go forward with renewed efforts to promote diversity and cultural awareness.

The local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People also had pressured the agency to improve its diversity record.

Parra, a Latina, is an officer with the NAACP chapter.

Five of the housing agency's 80 employees are minorities. The agency provides housing to low-income residents.