What is the Dismantling Racism Initiative?
The Human Services Department’s (HSD) Dismantling Racism Initiative (DRI) is an unprecedented cross-agency, community-wide commitment to interrupt the functions and manifestations of institutional racism negatively impacting people we serve in ways that are reflected in their disparate outcomes. DRI and its educational platform work to change perspectives from and perceptions of a focus on personal bigotry and bias, to develop the capacity of participants to better understand racism in its institutional and structural forms.
Why is it important to Human Services?
DRI is important to Human Services because institutional racism in systems and institutions negatively impacts an individual’s outcomes and life chances. DRI offers crucial education and understanding of how institutions and systems are producing unjust and inequitable outcomes, clearly outlining how a person’s race is a primary indicator and predictor of health, social, education, criminal justice and other outcomes. The DRI is Broward County Human Services Department’s (HSD) commitment to working towards an institutional and collective response towards racial equity, with a vision of creating a Department and county in which a person’s race cannot predict her or his outcome.
What are the goals for 2022?
The 2022 goals include continuing the expansion and sustainability of DRI institutionally. The Budget Supplement proposal approved and effected October 1, 2019, established the Office of Equity and Community Investment, further solidifying HSD’s and the County’s commitment to educating staff and community about institutional and structural racism and working towards racial equity through DRI. Additional goals include staffing and standing up the office and doubling and tripling workshop offerings, as much as possible.
2022 Black Symposium - Black Family Integrity, "The Role of the Black Father"
Human Services Deputy Director: Keith Bostick Co-Chaired this Black Administrators in Child Welfare event on July 14, 2022.
February 8, 2022, Rubin Stacy Memorial Boulevard Unveiling Ceremony
During the ceremony, Mr. Stacy's niece, 95 year old, Ann Naives spoke and said: “Teach your children about the history of what happened. Not just the good history, not just to make someone feel good or uncomfortable, but tell the truth of history because history is the truth and it's not left up to anyone to change history because of how they feel and emotions. We must keep history with facts shown to everyone".
CLICK HERE to see interviews of the Stacy family after the ceremony.
Culture of Health Prize
The Culture of Health Prize honors and elevates U.S. communities working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all. Broward County was recognized in large part due to its racial equity work through the
Dismantling Racism Initiative.
CLICK HERE to read all about why Broward County was chosen.
