EP 84: Practical DEI in Behavioral Health with Zina Rodriguez

Conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion in behavioral health are just beginning, so many providers don't know where to start. Or maybe they get started with a DEI statement, but are unsure where to go next. To make matters more complicated, DEI as a field is in its infancy and many DEI initiatives and practitioners offer little more than window dressing, lacking organizational alignment, KPIs, or tangible outcomes that executive teams can realistically support for the long-term. In this episode, I interview Zina Navarro-Rodriguez, owner of Z&D Consulting. Like me, she is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE). We answer questions such as: - What should DEI look like in behavioral health? - How do we effectively engage different communities, both those struggling with addiction and those looking to work in the field? - What's the role of straight white men in DEI? - Why does DEI need to align with pre-established core organizational objectives rather than operating under its own agenda? - Do we really need unconscious bias training? It's a great discussion. Enjoy.