1.5 Using an Equity Lens
One of the givens of human services work is that human services workers interact with a wide variety of people from varying circumstances in our day-to-day work. This includes Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities as well as other marginalized people. As mentioned earlier, human services covers a wide range of professions that work with a wide range of people. We also know that our students themselves come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. One of the intentions of this text is to give attention to these areas and how they may affect and inform our work.
Defining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
For our purposes, the following definitions will be used throughout the text:
- Diversity: The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc., that may or may not intersect with each other.
- Equity: The quality of being fair and impartial and providing equitable access to different perspectives, lenses, and resources to all students.
- Equity lens: A way of looking at and acting on issues of justice to ensure that outcomes in the conditions of well-being are improved for marginalized groups, lifting outcomes for all.
- Inclusion: The practice or quality of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be systemically excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of other minority groups.
Equity-Informed Fieldwork
One of the strengths of including fieldwork in your education is the opportunity to see how issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion play out in our day-to-day environment. This text aims to include ideas about how to make sure that you understand and feel empowered to address these issues wherever you encounter them—in the classroom, with clients, or within the agency itself. It is easy to make the assumption that others see a situation the same as you do. It is important to take a step back and ensure that your vision is not clouded by your own assumptions or judgments and that you are taking the time to hear and acknowledge other points of view. This is what is meant by using an equity lens.
The official definition of human services as a profession includes “addressing not only the quality of direct services, but also by seeking to improve accessibility, accountability, and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery” (National Organization of Human Services, n.d.). You have a responsibility to yourself, your clients, and the profession to address issues of equity and inclusion in your work. Your internship provides you with the opportunity to begin practicing these values.
Guiding Questions in Equity-Informed Fieldwork
Here are some questions to keep in mind as you begin your internship. You may want to refer to these intermittently as a way to ensure you are keeping your equity lens in focus:
- Who are the racial/ethnic and underserved groups impacted by your agency? What groups show the most persistent or severe disparities?
- What are the barriers to more equitable outcomes for these clients (e.g., mandated, political, emotional, financial, programmatic, or managerial)?
- How has the agency intentionally involved stakeholders in the vulnerable communities affected by agency policies to inform decision making? How have you engaged your own clients in decision making?
- Does the agency have a plan for inclusive communications and engagement and to communicate the process of this work and opportunities for clients in compelling, clear, accessible, and transparent ways?
- How does the agency evaluate its progress and stay accountable to equity goals? How will you evaluate your progress and stay accountable?
Using an Equity Lens Licenses and Attributions
“Using an Equity Lens” by Yvonne M. Smith LCSW is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
“Guiding Questions in Equity-Informed Fieldwork” is adapted from the “Oregon HECC Equity Lens” © the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, State of Oregon. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc. that may or may not intersect with each other.
the quality of being fair and impartial and providing equitable access to different perspectives and resources to all students.
a way of looking at and acting on issues of justice to ensure that outcomes in the conditions of well-being are improved for marginalized groups, lifting outcomes for all.
the practice or quality of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise systemically be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of other minority groups.
(or internship/practicum) experiential learning contained within human services programs. For the purposes of this text, fieldwork, internship, and practicum will be used interchangeably.
A credit class in which students apply theory to practice by using what you have learned in coursework in a real-world setting with a supervisor/mentor who is invested in your growth and development (often also referred to as fieldwork or practicum).