Updated regularly, this newly created resource page curated by NAATP is to guide and educate our members and the industry at large about best practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity along with social determinants in healthcare.
Messages from NAATP Leadership
A Message from NAATP CEO on Social Injustice
June 2, 2020 - "We have not done enough to confront the racial and ethnic disparities in treatment access and outcomes. As an industry, we must do more and do better in grappling with social determinants of health and their direct application to recovery from addiction, with a rigorous commitment to inclusivity….As treatment professionals, we must answer the call, too long deferred, to center equity as we continue our work to improve treatment access and efficacy.”
Read More >
Marvin's message on Social Injustice was also featured in Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly (ADAW) along with Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIH).
NAATP DEI Advisory Committee
October 30, 2020 – In August of 2020, the first meeting of NAATP’s Advisory Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity was held to discuss the impact of systemic racism and other forms of discrimination on addiction treatment and recovery. Thirteen behavioral health leaders, researchers, and clinicians from organizations across the country participated. The group was asked, “If you could implement one change right away to improve our field with respect to increasing treatment access and improving outcomes, what would it be?” The responses to that question identified three themes:
- Lack of diversity within the workforce and leadership in addiction treatment
- Lack of equity in access to care for People of Color and individuals from other historically marginalized communities
- Lack of inclusivity and cultural competency in patient care and workplace environments
The group members identified potential efforts that are currently underway to address each of these areas, including:
- Videos, blogs, and podcasts featuring People of Color discussing their experience and commitment to working in the treatment field
- A training series on addiction healthcare inequity and promoting inclusivity in business and clinical practices
- Mentorship for People of Color who are interested in entering or advancing careers in behavioral health
The DEI Advisory Committee has expanded to 19 members, and the list of participants can be seen here. The group will meet again before the end of 2020 to establish measurable goals for 2021 in each of the above areas.
NAATP Action Plan
In response to the historic and current systemic racism and discrimination that profoundly impact the addiction treatment field, NAATP staff and Board members make the following commitments to action.
Self-Examination
NAATP desires to be a voice for justice and change in our industry. To do this in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusivity, we recognize a need for a process of self-exploration and education of our staff and Board. We are in consultation with experts who have longstanding commitment and contribution to anti-racism efforts. The first step in this plan is self-examination, in which we plan to honestly evaluate our goals as an organization, and the needs within our industry to improve access and outcomes for People of Color and others who have not been well served.
NAATP will re-evaluate our advocacy goals and strategic plan to ensure they consider equity and inclusivity of diverse and marginalized people.
Elevating Voices of People of Color
NAATP will recruit People of Color as Board members and will provide members with webinar content and links to resources for further training on racial diversity, anti-racism, and inclusivity.
Raising Awareness and Transforming the Field
NAATP will implement anti-racism training for our staff and Board members and consider how to incorporate this topic into NAATP National 2021 and other NAATP efforts.
If you have suggestions for NAATP in any of these areas, please email info@naatp.org.
Colors of Recovery Video Series
In this video videos, Committee members reflect on why they wanted to participate in the Committee, what their experience has been working in the field as a Person of Color or a minority, and why this work is so important now.
NAATP Webinars
Telling the Truth: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Addiction Recovery World
Presenter: Philip Rutherford, Faces and Voices of Recovery
Date: July 9, 2020
As worldwide demonstrations against police brutality have brought long-standing racial injustice issues to the forefront of a national conversation, it is critical for the recovery community to reflect on and take measures to correct the inequities in treatment access and outcomes that persist in our field. In this presentation, Philip Rutherford will lead an honest and, at times, uncomfortable discussion about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the context of addiction treatment. Mr. Rutherford will explain the continuum between cultural destructiveness and cultural competency, elucidate the differences between the terms "equity," "equality," and "justice," and guide attendees through the available avenues for change and improvement.
Industry Partners Webinars
Inequitable Access to Behavioral Healthcare for Black Americans
- Presenters: Trusted Provider Network
- When: June 11, 2020
- Watch Recording
Promoting Organizational and Self-Care Strategies for African Americans
- Presenters: Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions
- When: June 11, 2020
- Watch Recording
The War on Drugs Explained
- Presenters: Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Coalition & Legal Action Center
- When: June 11, 2020
- Watch Recording
‘Racism Pandemic’ Facing our Nation
- Presenters: American Psychological Association
- When: June 4, 2020
- Watch Recording
Social Determinants Research
Recovery Resource Institute
- Racial & Ethnic Disparities in Outpatient Treatment Completion: The Role of Primary Substance
- Discrimination, Immigration, Treatment Expectations, Non-Abstinent Recovery, and Family Stigma: Current Barriers to Treatment Seeking Among Latinos
- Black Communities Hit Hardest by Lack of Public Addiction Treatment Facilities
- Buprenorphine Treatment Dissemination Disparities Persist
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse
Communication Resources
OMNI Institute
Shadow Mountain Recovery Centers
Call to Action
We are collecting and re-posting training, policy, action plans, and other pertinent information as a guide for the treatment community at large about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity practices. If your organization information to share with the membership, please send it to info@naatp.org. We will be updating this resource page periodically.
