The Racial Equity and Implicit Bias (REIB) Statewide Initiative is a series of learning programs designed to support a more equitable and inclusive California. REIB provides virtual and in-person workshops for programs and partners that support CalWORKs and CalFresh participants across all 58 counties in California.
In order to align with Governor Newsom’s vision for California and its true commitment to equity, it is important that CDSS as an agency, overcomes its long history of overt and implicit racism and bias at the federal and state levels. Although these systems and practices precede us, it is our collective responsibility to address them, learn about them, and change them.
The Racial Equity and Implicit Bias (REIB) Statewide Initiative embodies Governor Newsom’s “California for All” vision. The Initiative is a response to
Assembly Bill 135 , which directed the California Department of Social Services to
Create an intentional organizational shift to provide trauma-informed, anti-racist, anti-stigma, and implicit bias-aware culture in the programs geared towards positive outcomes for child and family health and well-being.
The Legislation focused on California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) services and required training curriculum design, implementation, and resources for anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ARDEI) practices. Additionally, CalFresh invested in and partnered with this initiative to provide the training and resources for CalFresh county programs.
Racial inequities exist nationally and throughout California. Public safety net programs like CalWORKs and CalFresh are critical in reducing racial disparities. These programs are designed to support low-income Californians in achieving economic self-sufficiency and are commissioned to provide services to all. The county-based programs have the opportunity to directly improve the participant experience for CalWORKs and CalFresh recipients by utilizing the tools and strategies shared through REIB workshops and resources.
This Initiative is being formed by us – our empathy, our passion, and our bravery. We all have a role to play in creating a more equitable California, and we all have a responsibility to take care of one another.
- Erin Duffey
The REIB Workgroup developed a set of goals to inform curriculum design and guide actions within the CalWORKs and CalFresh REIB Statewide Initiative. The goals are not ordered by weight, importance, or chronology, and are considered as equal and concurrent pillars of the Initiative.
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Improve Program Participant Experience
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Improve Program Employee Experience
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Develop Shared Language and Understanding of Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ARDEI) Principles and Concepts
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Initiate an Intentional Organizational Culture Shift Toward ARDEI
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Apply an Equity Lens to Policy Review and Decision Making
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Collect, Analyze and Leverage Data to Drive Procedures, Policies, Programs and Processes
The REIB Statewide Initiative brought together a collaborative of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) experts to design and deliver anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ARDEI) curriculum to county welfare department CalWORKs and CalFresh program staff and their affiliated partners.
The workshops are tailored for county welfare department staff at all levels and presented in a variety of modalities, including in-person, instructor-led virtual classes, and longer-term learning collaboratives. Workshops launched Summer 2023 and are ongoing at no cost to counties.
REIB Information
The REIB External Advisory workgroup was established to ensure the REIB curriculum and workshops remain responsive to the needs of our county partners. The workgroup is composed of county managers and supervisors, employee union representatives, Tribal TANF leaders, program participants, CDSS Office of Equity, and CalFresh food advocates. CDSS facilitates bi-monthly meetings to review and comment on the Initiative’s progress and county response.
Throughout the duration of the REIB Statewide Initiative, evaluative data is being collected to measure the effectiveness of REIB workshops. In addition to collecting saturation data that showcases the reach of the Initiative (e.g., number of individuals trained, number of participating counties, etc.), short online post-session evaluations serve as the primary data collection method for this endeavor. These evaluations include both quantitative and qualitative measures that focus on overall educational value, the applicability of the tools and frameworks, and feeling prepared to talk about race and social identities.
As of September 15th, 2024, REIB delivered 419 sessions to nearly 12,000 county staff. Collectively 89% of survey respondents rate the overall educational value of REIB sessions as either “excellent” or “good”. Additionally, 91% of survey respondents state that they gained frameworks/tools they can immediately apply to their own work and 89% feel better equipped to talk about racial equity and implicit bias awareness.
Organization Chart
Racial Equity and Implicit Bias (REIB) Logo is in the top left of the chart. This chart visually outlines how the REIB Statewide Initiative flows from legislation, through CDSS, and into various advisory and action groups who design and deliver REIB curriculum from 2021-2023. There are 7 horizontally connected sections within the chart, and some have sub sections.
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Legislation AB 135 Section 44 (2021): Positioned on the far left in a large purple box, this legislation serves as the legal foundation for the REIB initiative.
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CDSS: A smaller purple box connected to the Legislation AB 135 Section 44 box. It represents the California Department of Social Services, which oversees the initiative.
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CalWORKs and CalFresh: Two programs (in smaller pink boxes) under CDSS, which are further linked to the initiative.
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CalWORKs and CalFresh REIB Statewide Initiative: A larger pink box positioned to the right of the CalWORKs and CalFresh programs.
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Section 5 includes three teal boxes.
- REIB Internal Advisory Workgroup: This box is directly connected to both the “CalWORKs and CalFresh REIB Statewide Initiative” and the "Action Workgroups."
- Communications: Connected above the REIB Internal Advisory Workgroup box, indicating its connection to internal advisory activities.
- Budget: Connected below the REIB Internal Advisory Workgroup, indicating its connection to internal advisory activities.
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Action Workgroups: This section has eight smaller teal boxes, labeled "Action 1" through "Action 8." These represent various subgroups focused on implementing different aspects of the REIB Initiative.
