At FCA, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our mission and that having varied perspectives helps generate better ideas to solve Long Island's complex problems, while better serving an increasingly diverse community.
We’ve always infused these values into our internal culture, systems, and practices and we haven't been shy about sharing our commitments publicly. While doing so is a responsibility all trustees, staff and volunteers share, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, and the BLM movement, leadership began thinking in an even more focused way about how we advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization.
In the summer of 2020, FCA hosted two all-staff Zoom meetings to discuss what was taking place across the country and in our communities. We followed up with a staff survey and subsequent conversations agency-wide, all of which has helped shape our response to the civil unrest and our quest to make FCA even better.
The result is the creation of the FCA DEI Council – a cross-sectional group of staff and trustees – who are tasked with the following mission:
To increase organizational capacity and community impact by embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a foundational pillar throughout FCA’s structure and framework.
We have some hard work to do, but we also have some exciting initiatives planned. Please check back here often for updates.
Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, FCA President & CEO
DEI Council Quarterly Newsletter
At the beginning of 2022, FCA's DEI Council made the decision that a quarterly newsletter would be beneficial to keep the FCA Family informed on what the council was working on as well as opportunities to get involved. Check out our DEI Council newsletters below!
Juli Grey-Owens from Gender Equality New York facilitated a training and discussion on providing affirming care for gender-expansive people (during Pride Month)
The team from CARECEN (Central American Refugee Center) provided information on trauma-informed care for clients who have recently migrated to the US (during Hispanic Heritage Month)
Sustained a large presence at Long Island Pride, which resulted in the Long Island Pride Lions hosting a Summer Tea Dance Fundraiser (at BTW in Oceanside) that benefitted Nassau Haven and Walkabout
Celebrated Black History Month with a social media takeover, Dining with Diversity event discussing “13th”, and an all-staff panel discussion featuring Professor Anissa Moore (Nassau Deputy County Executive), Fred Brewington, Esq and Theresa Sanders, CEO of Urban League of LI
Instituted a bias in hiring training for leadership, HR, and DEI Council members
Created a training video on How to Start the Conversation around DEI topics
Partnered with the Molloy Community Care Mobile Clinic, and across FCA’s divisions, to host a Summer Wellness Fair providing free assessments, health screenings, and referrals for Long Island’s under-resourced communities
2023 DEI Council Goals
Roll out DEI Ambassador Program
Review and update FCA policies and procedures from a DEI lens
Schedule division-led trainings on how to eliminate bias in note-taking and case conceptualization
Seek funding to support ongoing DEI efforts
Continue and expand upon DEI staff training
Subcommittees
In an effort to more effectively accomplish the above mentioned goals, three subcommittees have been put in place.
Education & Training Subcommittee
Mission
A commitment to the ongoing pursuit of education and self-awareness around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Education & Training Chair- Kristina Packman, LMFT
Building and sustaining an organizational culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion through creating a safe space for difficult conversations, identifying areas for improvement, and reviewing, updating and developing policies to further DEI.
Fostering an inclusive, equitable organizational climate and culture where all members of our staff can thrive. Develop and improve ways to promote and advance multicultural understanding between members of the community.
Gathered and analyzed results (with oversight from Dr. Quiros) of FCA's 2021 DEI Council survey
Introduced the importance of including gender pronouns in staff email signatures
Identified and assigned new 2021 DEI Training requirements to staff, focusing on Unconscious Bias and Being an Ally
Created the Gender Expansive and Inclusive Language Handout for Pride Month
Developed awareness emails, sent to the entire agency by FCA leadership, describing the significance of holidays, religious observances, and awareness days that are a priority to our staff
Hosted multiple successful Dining with Diversity events:
Discussion of "But I'm a Cheerleader" in honor of Pride Month
Discussion of "Which Way Home" in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month
Discussion of privilege led by Dr. Erica O'Neal, Founder & Principal of EEO Consults, which assists organizations in developing more equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces
Provided trainings on a variety of DEI topics, including:
Mental Health Awareness
LGTBQ+ 101
The Do's and Don'ts of Advocacy & Lobbying for Non-Profit Personnel
Established FCA as an authority in advancing DEI efforts in the community by participating in events such as:
Long Island Pride 2021
Juneteenth Village of Hempstead Event
Black Legacy Partners Presents the First Annual Juneteenth Food Festival
Life After Loss A.N.D.R.E (Ability to Navigate Depression, Recovery and Empowerment)
SNUG Community Event
2022 DEI Council Goals
Develop a new video training series (personalized to FCA staff and culture) to increase and improve staff education and training
Increase internal communication (via DEI newsletters and other exciting new campaigns) to build and sustain an organizational culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion
Collaborate with other Long Island non-profits to further the conversation and advance DEI efforts to create a community culture which prioritizes equality and advocates for effective policy and widespread societal change