Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mission Statement

CVOEO was established in 1965 as part of the Economic Opportunity Act and War on Poverty. Our organization believes that addressing the fundamental issues of economic and social inequalities includes identifying and creating ways to build the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion into our policies and practices. We are committed to serving the underserved, those with low socio-economic status, people with disabilities and those with different gender-identities, sexual orientations, languages and religions, national and racial-ethnic origin, and the Black Indigenous Populations of Color (BIPOC).

CVOEO considers racism a public health emergency. As an anti-racist organization that supports the Black Lives Matter movement, CVOEO aims to better the social determinants of health for BIPOC and for individuals that belong to any of the groups described above. CVOEO asserts the inclusion of all is the fundamental operating principle for building a more just and equitable society.

CVOEO will:

• Create and sustain a workplace that mirrors the diversity of the community served.
• Ensure that outreach and hiring practices foster inclusiveness and do not act as barriers to employment. ·
• Provide individuals with training that will aim to increase retention rates of BIPOC, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, individuals from the minority group, and those who benefit from legally protected status.
• Provide regular Cultural and Linguistic Competency training, Implicit Bias training, and learning opportunities for staff and the board of directors.
• Support the CVOEO Racial Equity Committee to serve as an advisory committee on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.
• Serve as a statewide hub for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Promote the use of common data also designed to understand diversity, equity, and inclusion, for continuous improvement.