David's Corner

    Speak Less, Do More is a theme of the DEI Committee this year and a reminder that we are capable of doing great things. We know that diversity, equity, and inclusion are important and we want to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and a culture where everyone feels valued, heard, and included.    For 2021, the work of the DEI Committee is focused on three building blocks: 1) local voices, 2) training, and 3) communication.  The first step we’re taking is inviting more “local voices” on to the DEI Committee, to have our DEI efforts include the diversity of the communities we’re in.  I encourage anyone who wants to contribute to our work on the DEI Committee to review our 2021 DEI Committee Charter , get permission from their supervisor and then fill out this Google Form . Applications are due by 5 p.m., Friday, March 12.  We will announce the new DEI Committee members by March 26.    There’s so much room to impact DEI at LCSNW. More details on the DEI Committe

Happy Friday,   This is going to be a VERY short Friday Note with 2 points, and a short poem. 1) Have a great weekend!!! 2) Next Friday Note will be the launch of the official process for expanding the DEI committee with a focus on "local" voices.   Winter is the Best Time by David Budbill   (Shared by Elliot Stockstad)  Winter is the best time. to find out who you are. Quiet, contemplation time, away from the rushing world, to see that inner landscape that place hidden within. David Health, Justice and Hope

February is Black History Month. It seems like a good time to talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, and recognize the adversity and racism people of color have to overcome every day.   I believe in diversity and inclusion--that when we create a workplace culture that enables everyone to bring their full potential, we get the innovation and collaboration needed to understand and help others reach their full potential. I believe diversity and inclusion is required to provide culturally-appropriate and responsive services to the communities we serve; that DEI is the gateway to achieving our mission. I met with the DEI Committee this week and we revisited the Committee’s vision and mission.    DEI Vision:   All levels of the LCSNW workforce will represent the diversity of the communities we serve.  Leadership will foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and safe culture for all employees.  The agency-wide LCSNW environment will promote equity and inclusion through communication, l

In the final part of the Start, Stop, Continue exercise, we take a look at Continue: What We're Doing Well.   In a lot of our communities, we're getting good at providing integrated care.   Sometimes, providers focus on one condition or one treatment. But we know that health is complex. Addressing mental health, for instance, without considering physical health issues, overlooks a person's overall well-being.   We’ve had enough experience with integrated care to know that it can be a really effective way to improve the health of people and communities. Different LCSNW offices may have different approaches to integrated care, but they have this in common: they design all stages of service delivery around what's best for the person. Let's continue thinking about a person's whole health and working with different groups involved in that person's care so that, from their perspective, the services delivered are consistent and coordinated.   Inland Northwest Dist