The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations believes that all schools should provide safe, culturally - appropriate learning environments for students achieve academic excellence and develop healthy life skills. When a student perceives that her/his cultural knowledge or heritage is not valued by the larger society, when students feel harassed because of prejudice against them - whether it's based on disability, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, race, language, or immigration status - their ability to learn is compromised.

Integrating human relations into the culture of a campus involves consistent and varied strategies to raise awareness and educate on our differences so that we may value our collective strength and build community. Strategies to improve human relations on campus should reflect the needs and voices of all campus stakeholders from the student body to the surrounding community. As a result, tactics to improve human relations may vary depending on issue, area, or audience. However, it is essential to engage all levels of the campus community in a holistic and inclusive process.

Schools that demonstrate long-term commitment to developing human relations are eligible to become a part of the Commission's County-wide network of "Zerohour Schools." These distinguished schools will be listed on the Commission's website and recognized formally by County officials, receive priority registration at zerohour-sponsored traings and events, personalized technical assistance from expert human relations consultants, human relations teaching tools, youth-friendly educational/outreach materials, access to the Commission's many networks of non-profits and service-providers specializing in human relations work, and assistance in obtaining resources for human relations programs and traing. A school's zerohour designation will be reviewed and certified each year by the Commission.

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