EQUITY IS IMPERATIVE
We are committed to creating an environment of belonging that embraces and celebrates the visible & invisible qualities of all individuals. We strive to uplift the voices of the historically unheard – communities of color and other under-represented peoples.
ABOUT OUR COMMITTEE:
The Partners For Quality family of agencies is proud to have a Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion promoting a standard of diversity, racial equity, and inclusion to ensure that all people thrive in our workforce and communities.
The Committee, formed in 2020, is comprised of staff from all levels at all of our Partners For Quality family of agencies.
Our Committee is dedicated to making equity and diversity a regular part of our daily conversations. Committee members plan and implement diversity celebration events and diversity educational training for staff at all agencies, with the constant goal of improving the culture of our work environment.
Our vision is a culture where every individual has an opportunity to succeed; where every voice is not only heard, but valued; where respect is the norm; where all aspects of diversity are embraced and celebrated; and where the services we provide extend equally to all persons of all cultures and are reflective of the population we support.
The Committee was formed in the spring of 2020 following the killing of George Floyd.
Three passionate employees (two from Allegheny Children’s Initiative and one from Milestone) approached Partners For Quality’s CEO and expressed concern that our agencies were not adequately or appropriately addressing Floyd’s senseless killing. These staff respectfully but adamantly pointed out that we needed to do more to respond to the trauma caused by this event and others like it.
CEO Maggie Rothenberger rolled up her sleeves and immediately got to work with these three staff. They agreed that an all-agency Committee was the best first step.
The Committee was launched and instantaneously grew, as staff from all Partners For Quality agencies enthusiastically came together with the common mission of making our workplaces welcoming, respectful and safe.
Months of open and honest discussion occurred as the Committee determined the best steps to achieve its mission. We knew from the beginning that this important initiative would be a marathon, not a sprint. Every decision is made with careful thought.
We are proud to report that our family of agencies has engaged the services of Dan Houston and the 1750 Group, a dynamic coach and trainer providing our staff with education, knowledge and training in diversity equity and inclusion.
We remain committed to living each day committed to the fact that Equity is Imperative.
Our Committee Initiatives Include:
- Working with a third-party vendor to assess the environment of Partners For Quality and its subsidiaries and provide meaningful staff diversity & inclusion training.
- Celebrate Diversity week/month every April.
- Committee Leadership Council meets monthly; full committee meets regularly.
- Subcommittees:
- Hiring & promotions
- Celebrating diversity
- Recruiting to the committee
- Communications
