Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is committed to employing a diverse and inclusive workforce, one that is truly representative of the diverse communities and populations we serve, while mitigating implicit or unconscious bias.

We respect and appreciate the differences, originality, and the unique identities, perspectives, and characteristics each individual brings to the table. We believe that by increasing access and opportunity for all – especially those who are underrepresented and have been historically disadvantaged – we provide greater opportunities for our team, each employee within that team, and our clients to be more successful.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is at the very center of our efforts to build and maintain a culture where acceptance and appreciation of everyone is not only spoken about but felt by every, single member of our community.

Our Path Toward DEIB

With this commitment, St. Catherine’s has answered the call to adapt to positive societal changes and forward-thinking initiatives. Here is a timeline of our Agency’s progress:

July 1, 2022
Introduced
Employee Handbook Updated to Include DEIB Language
  • DEIB section added
  • Gender references removed
  • Dress code updated to reflect cultural diversity
May 3, 2023
Inaugural DEIB Meeting with Consultant
  • Consultants introduced to the group
  • Initial groundwork laid for DEIB initiative
  • Discussed focus areas to frame where the Agency is headed regarding DEIB
  • Monthly meetings set to ensure constant forward movement of initiative

 

June 6, 2023
DEIB Meeting with Consultant
  • Revisited Agency’s mission statement
  • Discussions begin about updating job descriptions and accounting for lived experience when considering applicants
  • Decision made to incorporate Implicit Bias training, starting at the top of the organization
  • Reviewing demographic data and the need to balance it
  • Discussed inclusivity of Agency, and where it may have unintentional biases
  • Discussion regarding staff training needs
  • Process begins to update our policies and procedures to be all inclusive
June 13, 2023
Agency’s First DEIB Committee Meeting
  • Internal programs began meeting about implementing DEIB into SCCC culture and
  • Discussions regarding diversification of staff to look more like the communities we serve
June 23, 2023
DEIB Awards
  • Met with other organizations to see how DEIB is being implemented
July 18, 2023
DEIB Committee Meeting
  • Representatives from Board of Directors, Executive Leadership, Human Resources, and Training Department
  • Decision made to include relevant life experiences in lieu of education where applicable
  • Developing relatable life experience questions and considerations when discussing work histories during interviews
  • Review of job descriptions to be more inclusive begins
  • Adding a DEIB-related training to New Hire Orientation and supervisory training
August 15, 2023
DEIB Committee Meeting
  • Initial update of job descriptions to include DEIB language submitted
  • Consideration of adding more inclusive holidays to annual holiday calendar
  • Adding to DEIB Committee: call to action for more staff to join committee
  • Developing DEIB training in collaboration with consultant
  • Training Department trained in: implicit bias and racial trauma; looking at more trainings
September 19, 2023
DEIB Committee Meeting
  • Discussion to begin sharing Agency’s DEIB journey and intentions with new applicants
  • Acquisition of marketing materials and collateral to promote DEIB initiative
October 17, 2023
DEIB Committee Meeting
  • Juneteenth officially added to annual calendar as a paid holiday
  • Agency continues to update job descriptions as positions are prepared for posting
  • Agency’s marketing team creating a dedicated page for DEIB initiative on new website
  • Discussions begin about providing residential program staff with training and support regarding gender identity
  • Training Department enrolling in DEIB certificate programs with goal of other leaders also enrolling

Recruiting Through A DEIB Lens

St. Catherine’s embraces diversity in thought, background, and experience and insists on equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. To this end, we ensure that all employment opportunities are provided to qualified individuals irrespective of race, traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), creed, color, national origin, ancestry/place of birth, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), reproductive health decision making, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, military status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, stalking, or sex offense victim status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. 

Our DEIB efforts enhance our ability to accomplish this, while providing a workforce truly reflective of those we serve