Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion Seeks to Implement Recommendations

            The NASW MA Chapter is reaching out to social workers of color to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of the profession in order to better serve the diverse needs of clients and communities.   Social workers of color are an under tapped source of talent that can enhance the field of social work and bring added credibility, viability, and strength to the profession. The Chapter has made this a priority by establishing a Task Force to ensure representation of social workers of color in the membership, leadership and programming of the MA Chapter of NASW.

           

      The Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion submitted a report to the Board of Directors in June 2011.  This report  represents  over a year of hard work by dedicated NASW social workers and staff who have a commitment to a more racially and ethnically diverse state chapter.  The Task Force was Co-Chaired by Dr. Yvonne Ruiz, Salem State University, and Dr. Robbie Tourse, retired from Boston College and adjunct at Simmons College,   The core group consisted of ethnically diverse social workers:  Charles Carter, Cassandra Clay, Jennifer Coplon, Lisa Johnson, Zaza Sakhat, Ray Walden, Sandra Yudilevich, and Steve Yerdon.  This core represents a diverse group of agency administrators, college professors (retired and current), and private practice practitioners. 

      The overall goal was to provide guidance for the recruitment and retention of a racially and ethnically diverse membership with the additional aim of identifying ways to increase diversity representation on committees, volunteer leadership, programs, and staff.  Based on a variety of data-gathering activities, the Task Force made recommendations for best practices by which the NASW-MA Chapter can recruit and retain an inclusive and diverse membership.

            The importance of recruiting and retaining social workers of color is demonstrated by data suggesting that racial and ethnic disproportionality is a significant issue in Massachusetts in areas such as healthcare, child welfare, and education.  The relevance of this data to the NASW MA Chapter and its goal of increasing diversity among its membership are twofold.  First, a diverse workforce corresponds to a diverse client population and their specific needs.  Second, it is imperative that the social work profession be aware of and continues to address issues related to race and ethnicity in order to provide effective services to diverse clients and communities, as well as to promote social and economic justice.

            The Task Force collected feedback from a variety of activities targeting NASW members and non-members.  One of the major activities was Surveys disseminated electronically to the NASW membership, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), and agencies throughout the state.  The survey was also posted on Facebook and Twitter, and printed in FOCUS.  The survey to the membership yielded 136 responses from self-identified social workers of color.  The majority of the respondents identified their race as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/South Asian, biracial, or multiracial.  The ethnic categories included Puerto Rican, Latino, American, Haitian American, Chinese American, Japanese American, Jamaican, and Korean American.

The responses to the survey indicate that social workers of color are particularly interested in several types of programming and services:

• Networking and events that connect social workers of color
• Career development opportunities
• Continuing education programs that meaningfully address racism, social injustice, cultural competence, and diversity
• Information that is relevant to communities and social workers of color
• Increase NASW involvement in urban communities through forums, outreach activities, continuing education programs and other events. 

The respondents identified several ways that the Chapter can be more relevant to younger and mid-career professionals.  Moving up the career ladder is of great interest.  Respondents requested career coaching activities where social workers can connect with each other, share career experiences, get advice, and network. 

The Chapter office has instituted some changes as a result of the Final Report.  For example, the Chapter has increased the number of CEU programs that present multicultural themes and the Chapter is seeking to increase these activities even more.  One respondent commented, “There is a need to talk about difference and diversity in its many facets and level,s” addressing the need for workshops and trainings. 

            The work of the Task Force resulted in many possibilities for strengthening diversity within the Chapter and the recommendations focused on four areas: Organizational Development; Outreach; Programming, Education, and Training; and Public Relations and Communications.  Efforts in the areas of communication and education have already been initiated with regularly planned articles in FOCUS and a webpage with information of particular relevance to social workers and communities of color.

            The Chapter is seeking to recruit new members more proactively.  Efforts to recruit and retain social workers of color include reaching out to students and new professionals of color by finding meeting locations in racially mixed communities, planning educational events that are relevant and accessible to social workers of color, and collaborating with other member organizations and their efforts to be responsive to professionals of color.

            The Task Force, co-chaired by Jennifer Coplon and Yvonne Ruiz, is seeking new members.  Please contact one of the co-chairs if you are interested in joining this committee or have ideas or issues that can be addressed in this group: Jennifer Coplon can be reached at jcoplon@rcn.com and  Yvonne Ruiz can be reached at yruiz@salemstate.edu.