Webinar

Promising Practices on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) within the Workforce System

Thursday, October 27, 2022
3:00pm - 4:30pm ET

How can we advance equitable workforce practices that support improved outcomes for all participants while simultaneously providing innovative services for employer customers? What does it look like to acknowledge customers’ intersecting identities to meet their unique strengths and needs?

This webinar shared some effective state and local practices that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the workforce system in the areas of business services, internal staff training, and policy implementation. Specifically, panelists shared these effective practices in promoting equity and inclusion:

  • Minnesota’s racial equity commitments, their process for setting Equity Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and how their department is making change from the inside out to systemically reduce racial and other disparities.
  • Duluth’s forward-thinking Employer Action Guide helps employers increase diversity and strengthens inclusiveness in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and retention.
  • New York Hempstead Works’ pioneering staff development trainings led to LGBTQIA+ and disability inclusive services, language, policies, and outreach.

Speakers included:

  • Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED)
    • Heather C. Stein, Director, Office of Diversity & Equal Opportunity
    • Ben Baglio, Director, Governors Workforce Development Board
  • Duluth Minnesota Workforce Development Board
    • Elena Foshay, Director, Workforce Development
  • Hempstead New York Works Career Center
    • Maria Lombardi, Department of Occupational Resources
  • U.S. Department of Labor
    • Andy Arias, Policy Advisory, Office of Disability Employment Policy
    • Christopher Button, Supervisory Policy Advisor, Workforce System Policy with the Office of Disability Employment Policy
    • Lee Perselay, Chief, Office of External Enforcement with the Civil Rights Center

Webinar participants learned how:

  • To create meaningful policies, practices, and procedures that positively impact equitable customer practices.
  • State and local workforce areas are moving the needle towards more inclusive and equitable practices both within and outside the workforce system.
  • To effectively serve people with intersecting identities to ensure equal access to programs and services.
  • The Section 188 Disability Reference Guide is being updated to provide the workforce system concrete ways to improve equity and inclusion.

Presenter Resources: