The Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) Committee launched in February 2020 to determine how UCS will engage in the work of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
A vast and growing body of research consistently shows that racism has the potential to create negative health outcomes for people in our community. A complex and interrelated set of individual, provider, health system, economic, societal, and environmental factors contribute to racial disparities in health. When these factors are distributed in unfair and unjust ways due to structural racism, they contribute to systemic racial and ethnic disparities in health and economic opportunity.
Source: Community Powered Change
With this in mind, the Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) Committee launched in February 2020 to determine how UCS will engage in the work of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Members of the committee were specifically recruited because of their professional expertise. Utilizing a 6-month process and a planning framework called “Moving from Purpose to Practice”, the committee identified five strategic practices that will enable UCS to achieve its purpose of integrating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into core work of UCS. These practices are encapsulated in the UCS REI Theory of Action.
Key components of this Theory of Action include the principles and participants. By adhering to these principles and structuring participation to include as many relevant voices as possible, we hope that our work will be relevant, resilient, and enduring over time.
The intended impact of our work is that the Johnson County community will understand history and impacts of systemic racism and prioritize initiatives that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
To join us, email kathryne@ucsjoco.org.