Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our Commitment to Equity

Equity Statement

In addition to Portland State University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion framework that Trauma Informed Oregon adheres to, we make commitments of our own using the anti-racist lens in our approach to trauma-informed care. This is a way to ensure that all other inequities and oppressions and their intersections are included in the work being done to aid in the healing of all marginalized groups.

We believe that when trauma informed care is done appropriately it will stand on the principles of equity bringing forth the possibility of healing and the inclusiveness of all identities. We acknowledge, with gratitude and appreciation, the native and indigenous land that we reside on through honoring the truth of the pain brought forth through colonization while being mindful of the pervasive and continuous traumas of the present. It is most important to acknowledge and honor the ancestors of this region. Because of the sacrifices they were forced to endure, we are able to be here with one another.

Trauma Informed Oregon works with all organizations and agencies to create systematic changes to alleviate and reduce the recurrence of trauma experienced from policies and procedures that perpetuate inequities. As a hub of trauma informed care, we seek to recognize historical and current disparities and for us to do this work effectively, we must first acknowledge that culturally specific organizations have been serving communities from a trauma informed lens for ages. Our mission is to elevate those voices and always strive to center people of color and marginalized populations within the state we are committed to serve. We believe that trauma informed care cannot occur authentically without the integration of equitable practices and the inclusion of all.

Following are some of the commitments we align with to prioritize the work of diversity and inclusion and their intersections with trauma informed care. These commitments are also an invitation of accountability to the communities we serve.

Commitments

Safety

We commit to providing spaces that are inclusive and welcoming of all identities.

We commit to working towards legitimizing spaces meant for people of color and minorities.

We commit to the uphill struggle of ensuring spaces are accessible and welcoming to the communities they are intended to serve.

Empowerment, Voice, and Choice

We commit to including and celebrating the voices of all identities.

We commit to both the sharing of power and the giving up of power so that all feel heard and seen in the work of trauma informed care.

We commit to the uplifting and elevating of the work being done in our state to dismantle oppression.

Peer Support

We commit to creating opportunities for affinity work to take place as well as centering it as a driving force in directing the future work of Trauma Informed Oregon.

We commit to promoting, elevating, and giving rightful recognition to the contributions and strides that people of color, culturally specific communities, and minorities have made in giving rise and advancing the work of trauma informed care.

Collaboration and Mutuality

We commit to being informed and guided by culturally specific communities, recognizing that they are the experts in this work.

We commit to stepping back, centering other experiences, or being an ally, when asked.

We commit to continually asking the questions of “Who benefits?” and “Who is excluded?”, and to work towards bringing those identified to the forefront of the work that we do.

We commit to the sharing of resources to groups that are embedded in equity work.

We commit to the ongoing assessment, feedback, and involvement of all processes from the communities we serve.

Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

We commit to the dismantling of systems, institutions, and historical practices of racism, misogyny, ageism, cis-heterosexism, classism, and ableism and the intersections of these inequities that are embedded in the policies of agencies and organizations in the social service industry.

We commit to the inclusion of people of color and minorities when creating policies and procedures to prevent exclusion and inequitable processes.

We commit to decentering whiteness in trauma informed care.

We commit to centering leadership and inclusion of culturally specific organizations.

Trustworthiness and Transparency

We commit to starting and hosting open and clear dialogue.

We commit to eliminating both blatant and subtle silencing of people of color and minorities, particularly through the forms of macroaggressions, microaggressions, oppressive policies and procedures, and the centering of whiteness in dominant culture.

We commit to providing clear and honest disclosure of our procedures, practices, and products.

We commit to the continuous gathering of knowledge and information and keeping current with the research as a means to instruct the creation or modifications of our training, materials, and products.