ColumbiaCare honors the fundamental value and dignity of all people. We seek to support self-sufficiency, empowerment, and wellbeing for our clients through access to a range of trauma-informed services. We believe that people get better, and that we are best able to support healing when we center diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) for our clients, employees and community. As an organization, we are engaged in a transformation process to grow our capacity, knowledge, and understanding, and overall health of the ColumbiaCare community. We know that change takes time, resources, and accountability--we are committed to the work.
DEFINIng DIVERSITY, EQuITY, INCLUSION & JUSTICE
Diversity: Psychological, physical, and social differences that occur among humans - including but not limited to race and ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status, religion, nationality, citizenship, spectrum of built environment settings (rural/urban), faith communities, sexuality, people with disabilities, gender, body size, age, and military affiliation.
Equity*: The guarantee of fair treatment, access, equal opportunity, and advancement while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Equity acknowledges that there are systems of oppression, and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is needed to assist equality in the provision of effective opportunities to all groups and people. [*Equity is different than Equality. Equality is defined as “Every individual is treated the same way, and is granted the same rights and responsibilities, regardless of their individual differences and/or needs.”]
Inclusion: To cultivate a culture that embraces and encourages all individuals or groups to collaborate and feel welcomed, respected, supported, affirmed, and valued to fully participate and bring their full, authentic selves. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences, builds trust, and promotes fairness throughout the organization. Creates respect in the words/actions/ thoughts of all people.
Justice: Equitable access to wealth, resources, opportunities and power, and a genuine respect for all people.
Equity*: The guarantee of fair treatment, access, equal opportunity, and advancement while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Equity acknowledges that there are systems of oppression, and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is needed to assist equality in the provision of effective opportunities to all groups and people. [*Equity is different than Equality. Equality is defined as “Every individual is treated the same way, and is granted the same rights and responsibilities, regardless of their individual differences and/or needs.”]
Inclusion: To cultivate a culture that embraces and encourages all individuals or groups to collaborate and feel welcomed, respected, supported, affirmed, and valued to fully participate and bring their full, authentic selves. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences, builds trust, and promotes fairness throughout the organization. Creates respect in the words/actions/ thoughts of all people.
Justice: Equitable access to wealth, resources, opportunities and power, and a genuine respect for all people.
CENTERING RACIAL EQUITY
We understand that systemic oppression, and specifically racism, greatly impact the health and wellness of our communities and country. Racism as a result of White Supremacy* is a public health crisis, and we are working to address these systems within ColumbiaCare Services. We are committed to taking concrete actions that will change policies, shift hiring, recruiting and promotion practices, address culture and climate within the organization, and engage in ongoing education, training and dialogue. We commit to becoming culturally responsive and affirming, to hold ourselves accountable across all areas of the organization, and to ensure that ColumbiaCare is a company where individuals of all backgrounds, and identities are able to thrive. [*White Supremacy is defined as “The social, economic and political systems that collectively enable white people to maintain power over people of other races.]
COLUMBIACARE ACTION & COmmitment
COLUMBIACARE ACTION & COMMITTENT
+ ColumbiaCare has hired a full-time Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Manager position to lead the work across the organization.
+ ColumbiaCare has an organized DEIJ Committee comprised of diverse individuals (in identity and position) who advise and support the work led by the DEIJ Program Manager.
+ ColumbiaCare is providing resources and organizational power to the DEIJ Manager and Committee to create meaningful and sustainable change.
+ ColumbiaCare provides regular training and education opportunities to grow the capacity of our organization and provide culturally responsive and informed care to all our clients.
+ ColumbiaCare is doing, and will continue to do the work, to be a safe and responsive place to effectively and intentionally serve a wide range of clients, including but not limited to: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), Queer and Trans individuals, non-English speaking, low-income, and otherwise underserved users of our services, as well as our employees.
+ ColumbiaCare is strengthening and growing our commitment to reducing and replacing incarceration with expanded services for people who may benefit from behavioral health services.
+ ColumbiaCare is committed to creating services that are specific and intentional to the individual needs of the diverse clients we serve.
+ Columbiacare is committed to building relationships and partnerships across our service regions to share resources and reduce barriers to care.
+ ColumbiaCare will continue to provide and engage in ongoing cross-system education with local stakeholders, including law enforcement, to seek better outcomes for our clients.
+ ColumbiaCare will hold ourselves accountable to this work by regularly reporting our efforts and actions, as well as creating ongoing opportunities for feedback from our employees, clients, and the broader communities we serve.
+ ColumbiaCare has hired a full-time Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Manager position to lead the work across the organization.
+ ColumbiaCare has an organized DEIJ Committee comprised of diverse individuals (in identity and position) who advise and support the work led by the DEIJ Program Manager.
+ ColumbiaCare is providing resources and organizational power to the DEIJ Manager and Committee to create meaningful and sustainable change.
+ ColumbiaCare provides regular training and education opportunities to grow the capacity of our organization and provide culturally responsive and informed care to all our clients.
+ ColumbiaCare is doing, and will continue to do the work, to be a safe and responsive place to effectively and intentionally serve a wide range of clients, including but not limited to: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), Queer and Trans individuals, non-English speaking, low-income, and otherwise underserved users of our services, as well as our employees.
+ ColumbiaCare is strengthening and growing our commitment to reducing and replacing incarceration with expanded services for people who may benefit from behavioral health services.
+ ColumbiaCare is committed to creating services that are specific and intentional to the individual needs of the diverse clients we serve.
+ Columbiacare is committed to building relationships and partnerships across our service regions to share resources and reduce barriers to care.
+ ColumbiaCare will continue to provide and engage in ongoing cross-system education with local stakeholders, including law enforcement, to seek better outcomes for our clients.
+ ColumbiaCare will hold ourselves accountable to this work by regularly reporting our efforts and actions, as well as creating ongoing opportunities for feedback from our employees, clients, and the broader communities we serve.
Please connect with our DEIJ Program Manager
Riah Safady (she/her)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Manager
rsafady@columbiacare.org
Riah Safady (she/her)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Manager
rsafady@columbiacare.org