The year 2020 awakened individuals across communities, states, and countries to issues of diversity, equality and inclusion and the long-lasting effects of systemic racism and trauma.
As a mental healthcare provider and equal opportunity employer, Fraser understands our vital role in supporting people who have and continue to suffer trauma due to systemic racism. We acknowledge that pain from centuries of abuse and discrimination lingers for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
The Fraser Anti-Racism Initiative was formed to use racial equity as a lens for everything Fraser does for its clients, staff, and community of families with autism and special needs. Our efforts will encompass a variety of activities across organizational divisions, working to undo systemic racism in Fraser processes, hiring, training and engagement.
Our commitment will focus on four key areas.
Enhanced training for all staff
Fraser is committed to ongoing training for all staff, including supervisors and executives. We will build on our training library to create content specific to our anti-racism initiative and focus on using appropriate language and terms. We will enhance our onboarding development, build a training database, and make continuing education and information accessible to all staff.
Supporting ongoing dialogues
Fraser commits to ongoing dialogues with our BIPOC staff. We began these conversations with a series of listening sessions, where BIPOC staff shared their experiences and frustrations with the executive team. We will continue to have difficult conversations and create introspective opportunities for all, so we can learn how our diverse experiences shape who we are. Additionally, we have started an ongoing Anti-Racism Committee and a BIPOC Support Group, led by BIPOC staff, to provide guidance and recommendations to the organization on topics related to our four key areas.
Reaching out to more diverse partners
To become a more diverse and anti-racist organization, Fraser commits to partnering with established organizations and individuals who serve diverse populations within our communities. By working with school districts and key community groups to improve access, we can reach more diverse community members and do so more efficiently. This will help us better serve and support BIPOC Minnesotans with autism, mental health issues, and special needs.
Committed to organizational change
Fraser is committed to improving our organization to create a more inclusive environment. We have hired an outside consultant, Dr. Brownell Mack, Psy.D., L.P, to help us evaluate Fraser and move forward. We’re also evaluating our hiring practices, job descriptions, retention strategies, and program processes to ensure these are aligned with our values.
Fraser will continue to work toward and evaluate our progress goals in these four keys areas. Our success will be measured by these standards:
- Receiving positive feedback from BIPOC staff, indicating they feel encouraged and supported
- Increased cultural competence represented through the toys, books and other tools used to interact with clients
- Increased hiring and retention of BIPOC staff and career development into leadership positions
- Ongoing training and orientation for all staff on diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Delivering services that are culturally competent and sensitive to clients, staff and families with autism and special needs
- Increased access to underrepresented groups in the community
- Using communication processes and systems that reflect Fraser’s mission, values and beliefs
Your support drives change and lifts up our community. Your donation provides the resources needed to expand this critical mission and create mental healthcare equity and inclusion for our diverse and vulnerable populations.
Thank you for lifting up your community. Your support has the power to change lives.