Member Login
Event Calendar
Prev MonthPrev Month Next MonthNext Month
RACE: The Power of an Illusion (Adel)
Wednesday, March 08, 2023, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CDT
Category: Training

The purpose of RPI is to build capacity to reduce disproportionality and disparity in the Iowa child welfare system by providing participants with a safe environment in which to explore and challenge their own beliefs and attitudes about race, to practice better ways of talking to one another about sensitive topics, and to begin to have courageous conversations with one another about how the notion of race affects our attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. Defined as a learning exchange, rather than as a training, RPI is both a guided educational experience which uses a standard curriculum and a facilitated discussion that encourages and supports participants’ active involvement in the learning exchange. A team of intensively-trained facilitators with a background in child welfare and commitment to eliminating disproportionality in the Iowa child welfare system lead the learning exchange. The current curriculum for the learning exchange was developed through the Iowa Department of Human Services, based on work done by Khatib Waheed for Casey Programs. In addition to learning new information delivered in the PowerPoint presentation, participants experience new insight through viewing segments of the video, Race: The Power of an Illusion - The House We Live In. This PBS presentation is the first film on race to focus not on individual attitudes and behaviors but on the role that our institutions and public policies play in shaping life opportunities and individuals’ ability to accumulate wealth and benefit from the opportunities that wealth provides.

Location Info:
Dallas County Human Services
25747 N. Ave
Adel, Ia 50003

TRAINERS:
Diamond Denney - Diamond Denny, MSW - works with both the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Juvenile Court Services (JCS) in Polk County to address disproportionality, primarily with black children and families who have involvement, in one or both systems to divert children and families out of both systems by collaborating with community partners and building a network of trust and support. She works on providing culturally responsive trainings and improving overall climate and culture.  Diamond believes that by giving people an opportunity to learn and grow from their mistakes, it essentially empowers them to become better people. Diamond’s goal is to help both DHS and JCS create a restorative and equitable systematic approach when working with children and families.   Her prior work includes: Recovery Counselor, for Jackson Recovery, located in Sioux City, IA. For almost two years, Diamond worked with adolescents who suffered from mental health and substance abuse issues and strengthened her passion for working with children and families.

Registration will begin at 8:30AM. Training will begin promptly at 9:00AM. This training is scheduled until 4pm. Lunch is on your own.

Please note: Priority seating is provided to staff working within one of the current DHS child welfare service contracts, including: Family Centered Services (FCS); Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) / Group Foster Care; Child Welfare Emergency Services (CWES): Aftercare Services; Supervised Apartment Living (SAL); Recruitment, Retention, Training and Support Services (RRTS); Parent Partners; Foster Care Youth Council. If you do not work within one of the current DHS child welfare services contract, you may be bumped from the course and placed on a wait list.

 If you have questions regarding seating for the training or if you are unable to participate for any reason, please contact Katie Henry ([email protected]).

Click here to register

Contact: For more information contact Katie Henry, [email protected]