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Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity & Belonging Resources

Updated regularly, this resource page curated by NAATP is to guide and educate our members and the industry at large about best practices in Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Belonging (DEIB). 


All-Staff DEIB Stages of Change Assessment Tool

NAATP has developed a new All-Staff version of the DEIB Stage of Change Assessment, which can be used with any and all employees at an addiction or behavioral health organization to measure perspectives on equity and inclusion issues. The brief, 19-item survey, is publicly available and free to use in any organization that finds it useful in their work toward DEIB best practices. The survey can be completed online through NAATP’s All-Staff DEIB Survey Portal

DEIB ALL-STAFF ASSESSMENT


Organizational Stages of Change Assessment Tool

The NAATP Stages of Change Model for DEIB Best Practices in Addiction Treatment Tool was created in consultation with our DEIB Advisory Council to help providers – both those just starting this work and those who are well on their way – to identify areas for growth, develop specific action steps, and gauge their progress. Just as treatment providers apply the Stages of Change Model in their work with patients, this model can help leaders chart a path to best practices. NAATP has developed a webinar as well as a blog to introduce this Tool and discuss its goals and utilization. NAATP is also providing a survey portal for individual leaders to submit their ratings on the tool confidentially.  For each organization, responses will be tallied, summarized, and communicated to an identified contact person. Individual responses will be kept confidential, and organization-level summary results will not be shared outside of the organization. 

DEIB LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENT TOOL


DEIB 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, inclusivity, and belonging, 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 continue re-evaluate our advocacy goals and strategic plan to ensure they consider equity, inclusivity, and belonging for people who have been historically marginalized.

​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 the NAATP National Conference and other NAATP efforts.


Action Steps & Timeline

Over the last 4 years, NAATP has taken the following steps to further our DEIB commitment and resources. 

  • Posted Commitment & Action Plan
  • Formed Advisory Council
  • Hosted Conference Sessions & Webinars on DEIB
  • Conducted internal training for Board and Staff
  • Expanded Affiliate Membership to DEIB Consultants & Trainers - Read Blog and Watch Videos
  • Updated Mission Statement, Ethics Code, and Public Policy Statement to include language about equity and inclusivity 
  • Instated DEIB Committee as a Standing Committee in By-Laws 
  • Stage of Change Organizational Assessment Tool
  • All-Staff Stage of Change Assessment Tool 

DEIB Advisory Council

In August 2020, NAATP’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Belonging was formed 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:

  1. Lack of diversity within the workforce and leadership in addiction treatment
  2. ​Lack of equity in access to care for People of Color and individuals from other historically marginalized communities
  3. 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

Call to Action

We are collecting and re-posting trainings, policies, action plans, research, and other pertinent information as a guide for the treatment community at large about DEIB practices. If your organization has information to share with the membership, please send it to info@naatp.org. We will be updating this resource page periodically.