1. North ShoresFamilies United, IncDiversity Training Seminar Amanda Kitchen President

2. We are here today for a purpose Diversity is so important in our line of work because being divided in our ability to respect and honor people who are “not like us” can have a devastating affect on the children we are trying to place in a loving home.

3. We are here to day for a purpose Many of you may be sitting here wondering why we are here. You may believe that we do not have a need for diversity training in this office. Think about your daily experiences and the statistics that say, every office in America suffers from the same lack of respect for diversity in the workplace.

5. 80% reported that they have overheard derogatory comments associated with religion.

6. 73% claim they have heard colleagues use racial or ethnic slurs.

7. 73% of participants overheard jabs aimed at a co-workers sexual orientation.

8. 67% say they have overheard age related ridicule.

9. 60% reported negative comments aimed at people due to their political preference.

11. Elements of diversity Let’s do an exercise where we write down an example of a time where we personally felt victimized by something another person has said. This will be anonymous. I will then read these scenarios out loud and we can all discuss how the victim and perpetrator both handles the situation. This exercise will help to make us all more aware of how we speak and relate to our co-workers.

12. Elements of diversity Now, let’s talk about diversity on a broader scale. We all know how our actions and personal prejudices can affect our peer relationships, but how about the influence it can have on dealing with families we interview to be prospective parents? (Holmes, T.E. 2010) Ask yourself: Do prejudiced views prevent you from being objective in the selection process? Ask yourself: Do you ever give preferential treatment to clients or even fight harder for certain children because of their skin color, income, or gender?

13. Elements of diversity In order to overcome our challenges with diversity we have to grasp the fundamentals of human relations. Appreciating the behavioral styles of your co-workers is a challenge. Following a model of feedback, communication, and listening is integral in overcoming the boundaries of working in a diverse environment. Focusing on body language can be essential to mastering the listening process. Developing an action plan to improve conflict resolution is key to successful peer relations. (Vlasquez, M. 2006)

14. I chose to include these specific elements in my diversity training program because I believe that many people are often completely unaware that they are being racist, sexist, offensive, etc. This program gives them a platform from which they can be educated by people they work with everyday. Likewise, individual’s once isolated are given the chance to speak up for themselves in a safe environment.

15. The effectiveness of the program will be measured by the level of turnover, percentage changes in reports of employee dissatisfaction, human resource mediated confrontations, and a general sense of function in the office. If people who do not adhere to the companies stance on respecting diversity within the workplace, refuse to change, then they can look for employment elsewhere. This final stance by management will help to seal the new policies and hope for the future of the company into place.

16. References Carhart, R. 2010. Diversity Training. Diversity Training and Personal Activism. One Planet United, Inc. Holmes, T. E. 2009. Diversity in the work place: Diversity Training Programs. Changing with the Times. HR Center, Fleet Boston. Velasquez, M. 2006. Successful vs. Failed Diversity Programs. Top Ten Reasons Diversity Training Fails. Diversity Training Group, Inc.