Making the Most of Diversity

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Making the Most of Diversity
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Diversity is.

• Difference
• Variety
• To Diversify is.
• To give variety to vary
• To spread out over a wide range of types or
  classes

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Unfortunately change is never easy and changing
attitudes, beliefs /or values can be
excruciatingly difficult.
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Diversity Change Process

• Stage 1 Choosing Relevant Dimensions
• Stage 2 Managing Differences Similarities
• Stage 3 Performance Metrics
• Stage 4 Learning from Diversity

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Vision in relation to Diversity

• NACOG Head Start should be a place where all
  children, all families and all employees are
  respected and provided opportunities to
  participate and to express the things that make
  them unique.

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We need to take stock of where we are and why we
need to overcome the obstacles

• We serve a Diverse Population
• Our Families live in Poverty
• We cater to SN Populations
• Our services must respond to the varying age
  range we serve
• Our agency is a part of diverse communities

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• We are comprised of a Diverse Population of
  employees
• Racial Breakdown
• Gender Breakdown
• Natives vs. Imports
• New vs. Tenured
• We must comply with regulations and desire to
  serve our children and families w/quality
• Our agency has high standards of performance

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What are the Roadblocks?

• Prejudice
• Race
• Culture
• Religion
• Gender
• Sexual Orientation

• Language
• Tradition
• Status
• Disability
• Ignorance
• Insensitivity

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Stage 2 Managing Differences and Similarities

• Acknowledge, understand, accept and appreciate
  relevant differences
• Practice active listening skills
• Use Conflict Management
• Strengthen Teambuilding

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Stage 3 Link Diversity to Strategies

• Use Motivating Metrics
• Classroom Activities
• Parent Meetings
• Incentive Programs
• Performance Evaluations

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Stage 4 Learning from and Leveraging Diversity

• Integration of diversity into all we do, seek
  diverse perspectives and representation WHILE
  making sure everyone is aligned with the cores
  mission of the agency.

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Goals

• Strengthen the respect we show to our children
  our families and one another.
• Recognize our own biases.
• Learn to accept and appreciate difference.

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Today is only the beginning

• Follow-up training Monitoring will occur at
• Other meetings
• At your site
• Within your classrooms
• Within your offices
• THE PRISM TEAM WILL EVALUATE OUR EFFORTS

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• NACOG Head Start should be a place where all
  children, all families and all employees are
  respected and provided opportunities to
  participate and to express the things that make
  them unique.
• THINK HOW MUCH MORE WE CAN BE IF WE MAKE THE
  MOST OF WHO WE ARE!