Racial Equity and Implicit Bias Statewide Initiative

The REIB Statewide Initiative implements Governor Newsom’s “California for All” vision, which aims to respond to disparities in policies and programs by embedding equity into the mission and practices of state agencies and departments. In 2021, the Legislature passed AB 135, which requires the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), administrators of The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) and CalFresh programs, to develop and implement resources and training to further embed anti-racist, anti-stigma, and trauma-informed practices into programs and services. While the legislation was specifically directed solely at the CalWORKs program, the CalFresh program has also committed to equity by partnering with CalWORKs in this work.

Racial equity and implicit bias awareness training strengthens organizational culture by fostering an inclusive environment where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive. In the workplace, this results in more diverse overall staff with improved retention and job satisfaction. When program participants receive equitable services and support, access to employment and educational opportunities increases. This also improves the health and well-being of participants and their families with a lasting impact on reducing generational poverty and other adverse social determinants of health.

The REIB Statewide Initiative workgroup and collaborative partners developed a set of six goals to guide the CalWORKs and CalFresh REIB Statewide Initiative. The goals were developed using the 2022 REIB report. The goals are not ordered by weight, importance, or chronology; they are considered equal and concurrent pillars of the REIB Statewide Initiative.

While the REIB Statewide Initiative curriculum is not mandatory, CDSS encourages county CalWORKs and CalFresh programs to participate. The legislation requires training and resources to be provided to counties that acknowledge and address the intentional shift to a trauma-informed, anti-racist, anti-stigma, and implicit bias-aware culture and climate in the program, geared towards positive outcomes for child and family health and well-being. REIB courses offer strategies, tools, and resources to help counties make the shift.

CDSS is providing racial equity and implicit bias in-person and virtual workshops, learning collaboratives, tools, and resources to county welfare department leaders and staff within the CalWORKs and CalFresh programs.

The REIB Statewide Initiative also convened a series of webinars which were open to the general public. The webinars facilitated conversations with the goal of adding to a shared language and collective knowledge around racial equity and implicit bias.

The REIB Statewide Initiative connects with counties in a variety of ways: holding virtual regional meetings, emailing county points of contact, and conducting on-on-one calls to learn how to continue to meet unique county needs in implementation. County staff may also subscribe to REIB news.

The original audience for the REIB workshops and learning collaboratives was CalWORKs and CalFresh employees of county welfare departments across all 58 California counties. California county welfare departments’ CalWORKs or CalFresh program employees who are interested in any of the workshops are encouraged to follow local program protocols for eligibility to attend.

Our offerings are now available to programs and partners that support California’s CalWORKs and CalFresh program participants.

In May 2023, the REIB Internal Advisory Workgroup selected a group of ARDEI curriculum experts to design and deliver the course content. As we move into full implementation our ARDEI curriculum delivery vendors include The Justice Collective, The Nova Collective, and Kenequity Consulting. These organizations are skilled in the area of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion and acquainted with California counties and the CalWORKs and CalFresh programs.

The REIB Collaborative includes contributions from the following organizations engaged to help build a more equitable and inclusive California.

The REIB Initiative provides attendance reports to counties.