Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB)
The Network’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Connecticut Network for Children and Youth believes that working with families, communities, and schools has the power to connect people from every culture, race, socio-economic status, age, ability, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. These groups are the fabric of our communities, and we are committed to offering programs, training, and resources that are representative and inclusive of all people. The Connecticut Network for Children and Youth celebrates its diversity and welcomes all who wish to work on improving the lives of children and families in Connecticut.
The Network’s Content Accessibility Policy
The Connecticut Network for Children and Youth is committed to making our content accessible to all members of all communities. This continuous commitment means our training, resources, social media content, and programs are curated with best practices for accessibility to ensure that all can engage. Platforms and guidelines change frequently, and we will update our practices to comply. CTNCY will hold ourselves accountable to the following practices:
Click to Read Practices
- Use plain language
- Use person-first language instead of ableist language
- Use inclusive terms and phrases (avoid language that can perpetuate harmful stigmas)
- Offer accessible social media descriptions (alt text)
- Capitalize the first letter of each word in hashtags
- Include representation in your photos and videos
- Caption your video content
- Avoid using custom fonts in social media profiles and posts
- Use emojis in moderation
- Make graphics accessible for people with vision impairment
- Be careful placing text over images
- Create trigger warnings
- Review your accessible social media frequently
- Keep up to date on accessibility best practices
Our commitment is to contribute to a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Accessible system that makes everyone feel like they belong within the Network Family. By communicating our strategies, challenges, and progress, we invite collaboration and acknowledge that our network’s collective effort is essential in effecting lasting change.
2024-2025 Goals
Working to translate CTNCY materials so everyone has access to them
Exploring further internal training opportunities around, but not limited to:
- LGBTQIA+ competence & support
- Trauma-Informed Practices
- Climate Refugee competence & support
- Anti-Semitism
- Indigenous competence & support
- Compassionate conversations, non-violent communication, and restorative practices
Expanding the Network Training Service to provide training opportunities to programs
- PD Bites
- Creating more pieces of training with intersections of topics
Progress
- Created a structure to encourage active participation to serve on the Board of Directors, various committees, and community activities
- Established an internal DEIB Team
- Created and posted DEIB statement on websites
- Participated in the YWCA Racism Challenge (2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023)
- Examined our recruitment onboarding and compensation processes
- Hired an external trainer for two full day pieces of training to help with
- Implicit Bias
- Cultural Competence
- Embedded DEIB into our feedback/evaluation process
- A commitment to make our communications and social media presence accessible
Want to contribute to the Network’s DEIB Team efforts? We want to hear from you.
Email your thoughts to ASHTON GAUTHIER with the subject “DEIB.”