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.
Stages of Change Model and Organizational Assessment Tool
The Stages of Change Model for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Best Practices in Addiction Treatment Tool was created in consultation with the NAATP DEI Advisory Committee 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 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) best practices.
NAATP has developed a webinar as well as a blog to introduce this Tool and discuss its goals and utilization.
Stages of Change in DEI Survey
NAATP’s own journey toward advancing equity and belonging in the addictions field requires us to understand our members’ strengths and needs. Therefore, NAATP has provided a portal for individual leaders to submit their ratings on the tool confidentially. For each member 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. Below is a link to the portal, which can be provided to leaders who wish to participate.
NAATP DEI Advisory Committee
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 over 20 members. The group meets regularly to establish measurable goals for 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 the NAATP National Conference and other NAATP efforts.
If you have suggestions for NAATP in any of these areas, please email info@naatp.org.
Call to Action
We are collecting and re-posting training, policy, action plans, research, and other pertinent information as a guide for the treatment community at large about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity 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.
