Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a term used to describe programs and policies that encourage representation and participation of diverse groups of people, including people of different genders, races, ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, religions, cultures, ages, and sexual orientations and people with diverse backgrounds, skills, and expertise."

Our world is becoming increasingly connected, and therefore, increasingly diverse. This diversity exists across multiple identities and traits - from race and ethnicity, to age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and more. Organizations that place diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts at the forefront of their business goals are better able to tap into the potential of their employees, create a collaborative work culture, and ultimately, provide better care to the populations they serve.

Healthcare organizations have a growing responsibility to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts not only for their employees, but also to better serve patients and their families. DEI has been a recent focus for many businesses and organizations across the world. But the healthcare industry has a particularly unique opportunity to make a greater impact, as it directly affects a broad set of patient health outcomes and quality of life in a profound way.

In Terms of Health Care, DEI Efforts Help Organizations Address:

Diversity

Understanding the background of employees and patients being served, including culture, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status. Also, hiring and retaining a workforce that is representative of the patient population served.

Equity

Ensuring healthcare workers have what they need to do their jobs and patients have what they need in and out of treatment settings to effectively benefit from best practices in treatment (not to be confused with equality).

Inclusion

Giving both employees and patients a voice to help provide/receive high-quality care and encouraging the presence of a diverse healthcare staff in the treatment experience of patients.

Our Goal

As a mental health care system, we at Children's Service Center are deeply committed to the wellness of young people in our community. Our services are designed to meet the individualized needs of children, adolescents, and their families. Children's Service Center's Assessment, Crisis, and Referral Services are staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week, by psychiatric professionals for initial assessment and referral. Children's Service Center and it's affiliates also strive to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts not only for their employees, but also to better serve patients and their families.

For more in-depth information please visit: https://dei.extension.org/ or https://www.relias.com