To C-TAC, the meaning of equity in our work is the transformation of care for all Americans living with serious illness, focusing on achieving the highest level of care for those who are the sickest, most vulnerable, and disadvantaged.
Last month, C-TAC continued our commitment to advancing health equity by hosting the latest J.E.D.I (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) workshop with our partners Reimagine and Holistic Underground. These interactive sessions are designed in response to our coalition’s recognized need for more practical learning opportunities to explore how J.E.D.I intersect with serious illness and end-of-life care. Beginning with an in-person workshop in Los Angeles last year, our coalition continues to meet in virtual sessions led by our organization partners. This month, facilitators Dara Kosberg (Reimagine), Mazin Jamal (Holistic Underground), Carolina Pissarro (Holistic Underground), and Ro Grace (Holistic Underground) were joined by nearly a dozen C-TAC members to learn about and discuss the true meaning and practice of inclusion. Participating coalition members were able to reflect and share in small groups how they either are or plan to practice inclusion in their ongoing J.E.D.I projects and initiatives at their organizations – and were able to solicit feedback and advice from their fellow members and facilitators.
Practicing Inclusion:*
- Discover who does and does not have the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way.
- Discover who does and does not feel like they belong, and what factors are influencing this.
- Create opportunities for those excluded to participate in and benefit from what’s going on.
- Address the blockers to belonging, and practice appreciating and listening to those experiencing exclusion.
- Seek guidance, then try on different methods for welcoming and connecting with those unrepresented.
*Methodology provided by our colleagues at Holistic Underground
Tthis session represents just one aspect of C-TAC’s ongoing work in health equity. A few words from Holistic Underground on the intent and journey of our J.E.D.I work:
“We are creating a “community of practice” within C-TAC. Coalition members who are passionate and engaged in the work of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion have a place to come together in fellowship. These sessions are a space for celebrating our wins, bringing forward our challenges, and getting inspired by each other’s work.As you all know, serious Illness and advanced care have a powerful ability to put things into perspective. As we learned in our work with letsreimagine.org years ago, those engaged in this work have a uniquely deep capacity to engage with all that it is to be human. The great equalizer of mortality juxtaposes with the endless diversity of experiences, identities and realities we face in our society. Those of us in this field have a unique opportunity to set an example for the rest of healthcare and beyond.
Since the 2-day Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion workshop in Los Angeles last September, we’ve been exploring different possibilities for supporting the J.E.D.I. initiatives of your organizations. In addition to ongoing spaces for support and accountability, we’re looking forward to providing templates and resources that can be used in the design and implementation of initiatives in your organizations.”
– Mazin Jamal, Founder & CEO of Holistic Underground
We are grateful to our organization partners for continuing to provide a powerful framework and toolset, and to our members for their vulnerability and desire to engage in this work. We know that through this learning and connection, we are working towards our set objectives: to ensure that those who are racially and economically disadvantaged are supported, and that we address systemic injustices in the system of care for those with serious illness.
For more information on C-TAC’s J.E.D.I initiative, please contact Partnerships Director Luke Scuitto at lscuitto@thectac.org.
