Professional Development
ISMs Collaborative
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, classism, 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 these issues
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 four events in 2006-2007:
- A two-day diversity train-the-trainer workshop with Gardenswartz and Rowe
- A two-day diversity film facilitation train-the-trainer with Roberto Almanzan
- A one-and-a-half day training on organizational self-assessment and 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