Every child has the right to grow up in a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment. Currently children of color are underrepresented in the percentage of children entering kindergarten with the skills they need to be successful. Children and youth of color are overrepresented in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. DCYF is committed to transforming the way we operate to promote racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice, so all Washington’s children and youth grow up safe, healthy, and thriving.
Established on July 1, 2020, the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ) is taking an intersectional approach, leading with race, to provide the vision, expertise, and accountability mechanisms necessary to make progress on DCYF’s commitment to advance racial equity and to reduce the impact of racial and ethnic disproportionality and disparities.
Ways you can help to advance racial equity:
- Learn about how disproportionality and disparities impact the children, youth, and families we serve.
- Help create an inclusive and just work environment where people belong.
- Become aware of your own biases and how it affects your work.
- Engage in training and ongoing conversations to advance racial equity and social justice.