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The DJS Race Equity Framework provides a roadmap for the agency to integrate racial and ethnic equity into its culture, policies, and practices, ensuring equitable outcomes for all youth and families.

Language

Language is a key component of the Race Equity Framework. Before engaging in race-focused dialogues, it is important to establish a shared language to deepen and sustain conversations about race, racism, and race equity at DJS. Upon establishing a shared language, it is equally important to create space and opportunity for DJS members to engage in meaningful dialogue that informs equitable practices and improves outcomes for all youth and families.

DJS has adopted Glenn E. Singleton’s “Courageous Conversations About Race”​​ as a protocol for effectively engaging, sustaining, and deepening interracial and intra-racial dialogue.

Inclusion

Inclusion of historically marginalized groups is essential to creating an environment of shared power and access to resources. DJS partners with youth and families to ensure that we understand the unique needs of the communities we serve and respond in culturally appropriate ways that advance equitable outcomes.

Capacity

Developing will, skill, and knowledge for equitable solutions requires more than just training. It's about creating a culture where equity is woven into the fabric of everyday work. DJS takes this approach seriously, implementing a range of initiatives to build staff capacity for creating a system that truly serves all youth.

Lens

Applying an equity lens requires routine examination of the impact of decision-making on youth of color, their families, and their communities. With the Racial Impact Assessment Lens (RIAL), DJS is able to identify and address any policies, practices, or programs that perpetuate disparate outcomes.

Application

Leveraging the Race Equity Framework, DJS actively works to mitigate disparate impacts, advance opportunities to improve youth and family outcomes, and dismantle structures that create or perpetuate racial disparities in the system.

Results

Requiring a data-driven approach and measurable outcomes, the Race Equity Framework helps DJS hold itself accountable for closing racial disparity gaps and achieving tangible results.