We are dedicated to exploring, celebrating, and learning about all members of our community. The concept of equity goes beyond formal equality, where all children and families are treated the same, to fostering a barrier- free environment where all children and families, regardless of their race, class or other personal characteristics such as color, religion, national origin, age, economic status, gender, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, pregnancy status, marital status, physical appearance, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person experiencing a disability, have the opportunity to benefit equally. This means differentiating resource allocation, within budgetary limitations, to meet the needs of children and families who require more support and opportunities to succeed.
In order to achieve equity for children and families CDFS will:
A. Equitable Access- provide every child and family with equitable access to high quality curriculum, support, facilities and other resources, even when this means differentiating resource allocation;
B. Workforce Equity- actively work to have the administrative and direct service staff reflect the diversity of the families served. We will recruit, employ, support and retain a workforce that includes racial, gender, and linguistic diversity, as well as a culturally fluent workforce;
C. Professional Development- provide professional development to strengthen all employees’ knowledge, skills and intercultural fluency and competencies for eliminating racial and ethnic disparities. All children, families and staff should be given the opportunity to understand racial identity, and the impact of their own racial identity on themselves and others;
D. Welcoming Environments- ensure that each location creates a welcoming culture and inclusive environment that promotes both second language acquisition and preservation of home languages. The environment reflects the values and norms that are honored and support the diversity of the children, families, and communities we serve;
E. Partnerships- welcome and empower families, especially underrepresented families of color and those whose first language is not English as essential partners and include them in program decisions. We will build relationships with partners who have demonstrated culturally specific expertise– including government agencies, institutes of higher learning, early childhood organizations, community- based organizations, businesses, and the community in general, to learn from one another to advance equity objectives through complementary work. Thereby achieving success for children and families in the community we serve.