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Ensuring Racial & Ethnic Equity

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Casey supports research, promotes understanding, and shares data around issues of disparity that continue to result in opportunity and achievement gaps in low-income communities of color and ethnic diversity.

The Race Matters Toolkit is designed to help decision-makers, advocates, and elected officials get better results in their work by providing equitable opportunities for people of all races and ethnicities. Download Toolkit >>

The ovzer-representation of people of color and ethnic minorities among disadvantaged children and families is largely an outgrowth of historical and current patterns of discrimination, segregation, and racism. These patterns have fostered disparities in income, wealth, housing, education, and health. These disparities have made it more difficult for people of color to gain a foothold in mainstream society. The effect of race and ethnicity on the status of disadvantaged children and families has led us to think deliberatively about the circumstances and aspirations of people of color and their implications for how we fulfill our mission.

The work of the Foundation in this area cuts across all of our major initiatives and investment areas, such as our Making Connections, Family Economic Success, and KIDS COUNT initiatives, and can be organized into several broad strategies:

  • Ending Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Systems: Reforming institutional structures that limit access to opportunities for racial/ethnic groups and disadvantaged families, and developing data-based strategies and resources around these issues.
  • Promoting Diversity: Ensuring that practice reflects the diversity of the community and is grounded in respect for local cultures, experiences, and aspirations.
  • Developing Cultural Competence and Community Assets: Building on the considerable culturally grounded strengths of diverse families and communities.
  • Examining Disinvestment and Gentrification: Revealing long-standing patterns and practices of discrimination, neglect, and missed opportunities that result in communities losing power, strength, and vitality.
  • Providing Training and Technical Assistance: Connecting communities and people to culturally relevant information, tools, and skill-building opportunities to make change happen.

 

Related Initiatives

Casey / Center for the Study of Social Policy Alliance for Racial Equity
The Alliance, formed in 2004, is committed to reducing the disproportionate number of children of color who unnecessarily are removed from their homes and to providing the services children and their families need to prevent them from entering the child welfare system. Its membership is comprised of staff from foundations and related organizations committed to improving the welfare of children and families: the Annie E. Casey Foundation including its direct services agency, Casey Family Services; Casey Family Programs; Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative; Marguerite Casey Foundation; and the Center for the Study of Social Policy, a nonprofit organization specializing in policy research across a range of domestic issues including services to children and families.

RESPECT
Developed initially as an internal Casey staff committee, our RESPECT organization has grown to include collaboration with local and national experts committed to ensuring that the Foundation's resources and expertise are marshalled toward fighting racism and promoting equity -- essential elements for fulfilling our mission to help create successful futures for all of America's children and families. Investments made in this area are used to help build and shape Casey's broadening position and knowledge base around issues of equity and diversity, and to support the work of partner foundations and organizations seeking to address racial disparities in policies and programs.