Well-being and Equity Are My Top Priorities This Year

Jon Sheldahl

Last week, I shared with our agency Board of Directors my personal professional development plan for this year that included only two goals. Both of these goals were shaped by our organization’s need to respond to historic events of great magnitude. 

Staff Well-being in Response to the Pandemic 

One of those events was one that very few, if any of us, saw coming -- the COVID-19 pandemic. Our agency has been working to mitigate the impact of this health crisis for over six months. And while our response hasn’t been perfect, I am proud of the work that has been done by so many to lead Heartland AEA through perhaps its most challenging period in history. The first goal I shared with the Board was to “develop and implement robust mental health and well-being supports for adults at Heartland AEA and in our school districts.” All of us at the Agency are fortunate to have a team of dedicated professionals who are making this a priority this year. You should have already seen some of the fruits of their labor, and you’ll see expanded efforts to promote staff well-being as we move through the year. 

Equity and Anti-racism in Response to Social Unrest

The second goal presented to the Board is one that we all should have seen coming, but I fear too few of us did. That goal is in response to the tragic death of George Floyd and the spotlight this tragedy and others have placed on racism and the lack of social justice that continues to plague our nation. The goal reads simply, “Lead the Agency toward becoming a more equitable, socially-just and anti-racist organization.”

Equity and cultural proficiency work are not new to Heartland AEA. In fact, prior to the onset of the pandemic, we already had plans to develop strategies that would re-energize our equity work within the organization and develop new services for our districts. The goal presented this year, though, is about something different. It is something that has led to a lot of conversation, much of it uncomfortable, among our leadership team. It’s a goal that will hopefully lead to a certain amount of discomfort for all of us. I know it’s created discomfort for me. It’s something different and uncomfortable because engaging in the promotion of social justice goes well beyond just becoming more culturally proficient. 

The System is Inequitable

It starts with coming to terms with my own truth and with making a personal commitment to grow in my awareness of my own biases and how those biases unintentionally contribute to a system that continues to lead to very different outcomes for people based on ethnicity or color. I have to recognize that I am a part of this system -- a big part. I also have to recognize that the system is not just. And that’s a tough one. I’m a part of a system that creates inequitable outcomes because it is currently designed to do so. That is an irrefutable fact whether you look at large systems like our public education system in America or a small system like Heartland AEA. 

If you are like me, you may be a bit on the defensive by this point, so let me make something clear. I am not judging anyone in the organization but myself. Many of us are easily triggered by the term racism or racist. I don’t believe for a second that we have people at Heartland AEA who operate with racist intentions. Quite the contrary. I know of few organizations that work to create so many equitable opportunities for so many. I say that especially when it comes to serving individuals and families who are dealing with disabilities. However, we are all working in a system that continues to have inequitable outcomes for people of color. Lack of equity shows up in how we recruit and hire. It shows up in percentages of students of color placed in special education. It shows up in graduation rates. More tragically, it shows up in incarceration rates, health outcomes and death rates. The system doesn’t always operate with racist intent, but it consistently results in racist impact. 

So here has been my shift this year. I have always recognized the need for change when it comes to social justice in America, but now I believe that there are things I can do to help bring this change about. I believe there are things we can do together as an organization as well, but I am going to start with me right now. Our leaders are already engaging in this personal work, and our goal going forward will be to create learning opportunities and experiences that will help each of us to begin creating those small ripples of change that over time will lead to a more equitable system for all. 

A Way to Get Started -- 21-Day Equity Challenge

United Way of Central Iowa is offering a great opportunity for staff to start or continue their journey in learning more about equity and racism -- the 21-Day Equity Challenge. The Equity Challenge is a powerful opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and our community. 

• 100% FREE to participate. 
• Receive an email every weekday Oct. 5 - Nov. 2, 2020, with links to recommended articles, videos, podcasts and more. 
• Daily topics include Understanding Privilege, Housing & Redlining, Justice System Inequities, Allyship and many more. 

United Way says, “The experience will deepen understanding, suggest ways to take action and help launch what we hope will be a lifelong commitment to improving equity and inclusion in our community.” 

Heartland AEA is registered as a supporter of the Challenge, I encourage you to personally register for this learning opportunity. 

United Way 21-Day Equity Challenge 

- Jon