February is Black History Month

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, learning, understanding, and action.  DEI Committee Mission: Create and implement an annual action plan that will integrate DEI best practices into agency policies and structures at all levels.  Build capacity for equity by providing or arranging workshops, speakers and training for all staff and specifically for leadership.  Serve as an advisory body and DEI resource

  The Committee is basing our 2021 action plan on three building blocks: 

1. Listen. Include more voices on the Committee to ensure both districts and departments are represented.

2. Learn. Offer more opportunities for DEI education and training. 

3. Get Louder. Communicate more about our DEI efforts. 

I’m announcing here that we will increase the size of the DEI Committee. In the next 30 days, employees interested in being on the Committee will be invited to apply, and within 30 days after that, new members will be chosen by an unbiased lottery and the larger Committee will meet to go over our 2021 DEI goals.

Creating a DEI strategy is no small effort. If I were to map where we are in the creation of our DEI culture, I would say our journey has just started. There is much to do.

David

Health, Justice and Hope