Starting in 2020, PCSAO adopted the goal of addressing systemic, root-cause reasons for children and families coming into care and of reducing racial disproportionality and disparities in Ohio’s children services system.
Our efforts around race, equity and inclusion are woven into our programs, Ohio START and PACT.
Race, Equity and Inclusion Learning Series
In 2021, PCSAO offered a virtual learning series to directors and senior leaders at member agencies focused on the critical work of race, equity and inclusion (REI). The series was intended to guide internal learning for PCSAs embarking on a journey to better understand racism and racial equity, with the goals of raising participants’ comfort level and competency in topics related to racism, racial equity, the history of racism within the children services system, and creating a more equitable system.
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Having Conversations about Racism and Intro to Foundational Concepts
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Shared Language around Equity Concepts
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History of Racism in Children Services
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Implicit Bias and Strategies for Mitigating Bias
In 2022, PCSAO brought several counties together in a Race Equity Community of Practice to continue learning, complete an organizational assessment, and identify a policy or practice change to improve equity in child and family outcomes. As part of the community of practice, training was offered to help public agencies examine their policies through a race equity lens:
PCSAO continues its work in this area with a mix of meetings, webinars, and training.
RESOURCES
- Deloitte: The Diversity and Inclusion Revolution
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Being Anti-Racist Is Central to Trauma-Informed Care
- Glossary of Terms
- Transforming White Privilege
- InSIGHT Training for Child Protection Investigators
- Kirwan Institute Implicit Bias Training
- Levels of Racism
- The Role of Race in Policies That Separate Children from Their Families
- The Racist Roots of Work Requirements
- Capacity Building Center for States Racial Equity Resources
- Administration for Children and Families Equity Plan
- ODJFS Report: How Racism in the Ohio Child Services System Impacts the Lives of Individuals Involved
- American Bar Association Resolution and Report on Anti-Black Systemic Racism in the Child Welfare System
- Ohio Family Care Association Report: Racism in the Laws, Rules, Policies, and Practices in Ohio’s Child Welfare System: A Family Review