The heart of Relate Counseling Center’s DEI efforts is our Inclusion Council, which was established in 2019. It is comprised of a group of staff members who work to build agency awareness and foster practical skills that support an inclusive and equitable environment for clients and colleagues of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, socio-economic statuses, and religious beliefs. The Inclusion Council is committed to ongoing efforts to examine, develop, and integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of Relate.

Highlights of Inclusion Council initiatives accomplished so far include:

• Development of the Relate Culture Code (see our Code further down this page)
• Coordination of all-staff trainings revolving around organizational culture and how to work towards a more equitable workplace for staff and clients
• Establishment the BIPOC Affirmation and Solidarity Collective (BASC) as a support and consult space for BIPOC clinicians
• Coordination of a three-part cross-cultural supervision training series for supervisors
• Support in helping Relate meet its goal of 20% BIPOC representation on staff
• Leading changes to the interviewing rubric/structure for job candidates, as well as the onboarding process, to be more equitable
• Utilization of American Rescue Plan grant money to support teachers and students post-COVID, with an emphasis on supporting BIPOC and other diverse groups of students

Ongoing Inclusion Council goals include:

• Reaching and maintaining a minimum of 20% BIPOC representation at all levels of Relate, including leadership, supervisors, and Board members
• Increased training opportunities as part of professional development at Relate that center around racial identity development and working with specific population groups
• Offering a quarterly DEI Book club to increase awareness and foster discussion around issues experienced by BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other diverse populations
• Expanding DEI component of onboarding

Check out Relate’s Culture Code below