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FRIENDS DREI Workgroup

What is FRIENDS DREI Workgroup?

FRIENDS Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup

FRIENDS Staff and Parent Advisory Council (PAC) members formed a workgroup to address Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion (DREI) in September 2021. It was created as a catalyst to move DREI work forward within FRIENDS and to join the national movement of embracing cultural diversity. Through the Workgroup, we hope to share information and facilitate conversations that will support a culture of affirmation, acceptance, and appreciation of all individuals from every background and ethnicity. Our values and principles are grounded in our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is informed by our ongoing journey of learning, which is enlightened by those with perspectives and lived experiences, and expertise of our staff, parents, partners, and the communities we serve.

ABOUT

Mission

The DREI workgroup strives to advance equity for all by learning, educating, and celebrating diversity and inclusiveness.  Racial equity, cultural diversity, and inclusion are core values in our collaborative work to strengthen families and promote community well-being. We aim to acknowledge the pain of historical trauma and intentionally focus our actions to support an environment of inclusion, recognizing our differences and our similarities in race, culture, sex/gender, age, identity, religion, experience, and disabilities.  

Vision

We envision fostering positive environments where all staff, parent leaders, and local, state, and federal partners are welcomed, validated, and inspired to lead and spread awareness that will impact generations to come.  

Socio-Ecological Model of FRIENDS Work with Anti-Racism

Inspired by the Center for the Study of Social Policy, FRIENDS’ DREI Workgroup utilizes the socio-ecological model to examine antiracism work at the personal, organizational/institutional and systems levels.\

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Systemic/Societal Anti-Racism

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Institutional/Community Anti-Racism

  • FRIENDS staff and PAC formed a DREI workgroup in Sept. 2021 with 4 staff and 3 PAC members
  • Nicole Cardova, founder of Reclamation Ventures, presented during the 2023 Grantee Meeting‘s Closing Plenary on Creating Solutions that Transform Today and Reimagine Tomorrow and also during a workshop session on Tools and Resources to Reinvigorate Anti-Racism Work
  • Culturally Effective Organizations Framework – Originally developed through a collaborative effort between the Brandeis Institute for Economic and Racial Equity (formerly the Institute on Assets and Social Policy) and the NH Healthcare Employer Research Initiative funded by the Administration for Children and Families Health Profession Opportunity Grant. FRIENDS worked with Dr. Trinidad Tellez, one of the original authors of the Framework, to assure relevance to programs funded by CBCAP. The Framework identifies the seven essential elements of a culturally effective organization including, Leadership, Policies & Procedures, Data Collection & Analysis, Community Engagement, Language & Communication Access, Staff Cultural Responsiveness and Workforce Diversity & Inclusion, and was designed to guide organizations in improving the experiences of the individuals they serve.
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Interpersonal/Individual Anti-Racism

  • FRIENDS staff read and discussed an article on Undermining Relationships While Working Remotely
  • FRIENDS staff and PAC participated in more joint activities to learn from each other and empower parent voice, such as holiday gatherings, creating our joint DREI newsletter, and participating in quarterly DREI discussion circles
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Intrapersonal/Individual Anti-Racism

  • FRIENDS DREI workgroup members participated in an anti-racism training and/or have subscribed to an anti-racism newsletter
  • FRIENDS staff and PAC reflect on DREI discussion questions during their respective monthly meetings

Systemic/Societal Anti-Racism

Institutional/Community Anti-Racism

  • FRIENDS staff and PAC formed a DREI workgroup in Sept. 2021 with 4 staff and 3 PAC members
  • Nicole Cardova, founder of Reclamation Ventures, presented during the 2023 Grantee Meeting‘s Closing Plenary on Creating Solutions that Transform Today and Reimagine Tomorrow and also during a workshop session on Tools and Resources to Reinvigorate Anti-Racism Work
  • Culturally Effective Organizations Framework – Originally developed through a collaborative effort between the Brandeis Institute for Economic and Racial Equity (formerly the Institute on Assets and Social Policy) and the NH Healthcare Employer Research Initiative funded by the Administration for Children and Families Health Profession Opportunity Grant. FRIENDS worked with Dr. Trinidad Tellez, one of the original authors of the Framework, to assure relevance to programs funded by CBCAP. The Framework identifies the seven essential elements of a culturally effective organization including, Leadership, Policies & Procedures, Data Collection & Analysis, Community Engagement, Language & Communication Access, Staff Cultural Responsiveness and Workforce Diversity & Inclusion, and was designed to guide organizations in improving the experiences of the individuals they serve.

Systemic/Societal Anti-racism

  • FRIENDS staff read and discussed an article on Undermining Relationships While Working Remotely
  • FRIENDS staff and PAC participated in more joint activities to learn from each other and empower parent voice, such as holiday gatherings, creating our joint DREI newsletter, and participating in quarterly DREI discussion circles

Systemic/Societal Anti-racism

  • FRIENDS DREI workgroup members participated in an anti-racism training and/or have subscribed to an anti-racism newsletter
  • FRIENDS staff and PAC reflect on DREI discussion questions during their respective monthly meetings

 

  • Individual and Intra/Interpersonal Level: The journey starts at the personal level, with individuals committed to the work. To make progress, each individual must commit to learn, reflect, and grow continually. Individuals apply what they have learned about themselves in ways that encourage and support others. For those on the DREI journey, there will be an impact on their role, their relationships, and their work at the organization. Interpersonal interactions are characterized by an appreciation for each person’s unique identity, experiences, and perspectives.
  • Organizational/Institutional Level: Organizations grow and advance DREI over time, making this process a journey. More than just individuals changing their thoughts and behaviors, the whole organization must address its processes, strategies, and culture to embed DREI fully. As the organization deepens its competence in DREI, it will expand its focus beyond internal work into deeper systems change.
  • Systems Level: The organization’s work happens within systems, whether it is the neighborhood, the community of like-minded practitioners, or the fields in which the work happens–such as education, child welfare, or healthcare. How the organization engages in these systems, the philosophies and models used with stakeholders, and the relationships and contracts with other organizations and governmental entities all offer space to practice DREI and work towards more profound change. As the number of competent and committed DREI organizations increases, the opportunities for systems change will do the same.

Resources

The FRIENDS Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion (DREI) workgroup produces a newsletter bi-monthly for staff and our Parent Advisory Council. Occasionally, resources and ideas that we believe will be of interest to you are included. We share these editions through the listserv.

Hispanic Heritage Month
National Day of Racial Healing
Poverty Institute

The FRIENDS Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion (DREI) workgroup found these toolkits and guides useful in their work.

Racial Equity Toolkit – A Reflection and Resource Guide created by the Collective Impact Forum.

Racial Healing Conversation Guide– A guide created by the WK Kellogg Foundation for the National Day of Racial Healing to facilitate conversations about racism, racial equity, and racial healing with friends, family, colleagues and neighbors.

A Tool Kit for Productive Conversations on Race – Developed by Mass General Brigham’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

The FRIENDS Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion (DREI) workgroup suggest the following links to advance DREI work.
  • Culturally Effective Organizations Framework – Originally developed through a collaborative effort between the Brandeis Institute for Economic and Racial Equity (formerly the Institute on Assets and Social Policy) and the NH Healthcare Employer Research Initiative funded by the Administration for Children and Families Health Profession Opportunity Grant. FRIENDS worked with Dr. Trinidad Tellez, one of the original authors of the Framework, to assure relevance to programs funded by CBCAP. The Framework identifies the seven essential elements of a culturally effective organization including, Leadership, Policies & Procedures, Data Collection & Analysis, Community Engagement, Language & Communication Access, Staff Cultural Responsiveness and Workforce Diversity & Inclusion, and was designed to guide organizations in improving the experiences of the individuals they serve.

  • Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) – A comprehensive, multi-year national and community-based process to bring about transformational and sustainable change. In 2007, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) determined that racism intensified conditions that block the pursuit of health, happiness and wellbeing of all children. At that time, the board of trustees committed WKKF to becoming an effective anti-racist organization. In 2015, the WKKF Board of Trustees decided it was time to launch a new process to address the ongoing and seemingly intractable reach and impacts of racism in America and Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation was initiated. Over 144 national partners were engaged to develop and pilot the framework and process.

  • The National Day of Racial Healing  is an annual observance  hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) and was created with and builds on the work and learnings of the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) community partners. Fundamental to this day is a clear understanding that racial healing is at the core of racial equity. This day is observed every year on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The National Day of Racial Healing is a time to contemplate our shared values and create the blueprint together for #HowWeHeal from the effects of racism. Launched in 2017, it is an opportunity to bring ALL people together in their common humanity and inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world.

  •  Addressing Disproportionality, Disparity, and Equity Throughout Child Welfare – The Children’s Bureau (CB) is committed to addressing disproportionality and disparity in child welfare for Black, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), Hispanic and Latino, and other impacted people of color; people who are LGBTQIA2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit, or other gender or sexual identity); those who experience poverty; and other populations who historically have experienced disproportionality and disparity in the nation’s child welfare systems. This page provides an introduction to racial equity as well as equity for tribes, LGBTQIA2s+ individuals, and those with disabilities. It also showcases resources that highlight work being done to advance equity.

  • Equity – In this innovation stream, the Children’s Bureau Learning and Coordination Center (CBLCC) explores populations over-represented in child welfare, looking at bias and unequal treatment in child welfare systems, and exploring strategies for bringing a focus on equity to our work. Included on this page is a series of learning modules, created primarily for the Children’s Bureau 2024 Race Equity Challenge, designed to support those who want to engage more deeply in how race and equity issues play out in child welfare. Individuals and groups can use these interactive learning modules to support growth and development, provoke reflection and inspiration, and inform change in policy and practice. Although framed for the child welfare community, these modules are useful tools for anyone engaged in supporting children and families.

  • Addressing Disproportionality – To address disproportionality and disparity within the child welfare system, it is necessary to understand factors that influence these inequities, such as biases and oversurveillance of low-income families. Addressing racial disproportionality, racism, bias, and discriminatory practices requires change at the policy, program, and workforce levels. It is important to acknowledge and address the historical trauma faced by Black and AI/AN families through a culturally responsive and trauma-informed approach.  Use the resources on this webpage from the Child Welfare Information Gateway to learn about disparities within the child welfare system and discover strategies for eliminating disproportionality.

  

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