ISMs Initiative - About Us
In recent years, people working on health disparity and cultural competence initiatives in Bay Area public health and health care organizations have found that powerful and underlying "-isms" sometimes limit their ability to move these initiatives forward. These "-isms" include racism, class-ism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, able-body-ism, etc., and involve issues of oppression, bias, and privilege.
The first "-isms" conference in spring 2006 evolved from discussions with a group of community health professionals who offered to participate in a planning group (convened by the Center for Public Health Practice) for this event. Group members were interested in gaining more information on the resources and models available for:
- Addressing these "-isms" in organizations;
- Having conversations with colleagues about challenges and promising practices in this area;
- Supporting one another in dealing with this issue.
Working on these -isms" is a complex and long-term process. The original conference was a first step, a starting point for the development of community-based plans and support networks.
After the conference, the planning team sponsored 4 events in 2006-2007:
- A 2 day Diversity-train-the-trainer workshop with Gardenswartz and Rowe
- A 2 day Diversity Film Facilitation train-the-trainer with Roberto Almanzan
- A 1 and a half day training on Organizational Self-Assessment on cultural competence with Tawara Goode
- A senior Leader Breakfast titled “The Business Case for Culturally & Linguistically Competent Care: Moving Your Organization Toward Equitable Care”
Our audience includes those working in public health or health care (including mental health) organizations who are:
- Working on health disparities/inequities, cultural competence or diversity issues,
- Currently addressing the "-isms" within their organizations,
- Interested in beginning this work in the future.