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Description
In 2022, the Arlington County Department of Human Services updated its organizational Vision, Mission, and Values to center race. These guiding principles will drive the department’s work moving forward.
A
A
A
Because
racial
inequities
persist
in
every
system
across
the
country,
without
exception
health,
education,
criminal,
legal,
employment
and
so
on,
as
staff
and
stakeholders
of
the
department
of
human
services?
We
are
all
part
of
the
system
and
I
invite
you
to
join
this
journey
that
will
lead
to
better
outcomes
for
our
community.
A
A
We
will
lead
with
race,
because
when
you
look
within
other
dimensions
of
identity,
income,
gender,
sexuality,
education
ability,
age,
citizenship
and
geography,
there
are
inequities
based
on
race.
We
recognize
that
we
must
take
an
intersectional
approach,
while
always
naming
the
role
that
race
plays
in
people's
experiences
and
outcomes.
A
B
The
new
dhs
organizational
value
that
represents
racial
equity
is
dhs
intentionally
removes
structural
and
historical
barriers
for
black
indigenous
and
people
of
color,
and
provides
the
resources
and
support
that
meet
each
person's
unique
circumstances
and
needs
dhs,
along
with
our
community
partners,
have
the
power
to
make
needed
system
changes
and
address
the
factors
that
have
historically
harmed
black
indigenous
and
people
of
color.
By
grounding
ourselves
in
equity,
we
will
make
a
collective
impact
that
reduces
harm
to
the
most
vulnerable
while
supporting
everyone
to
live,
safer
and
healthier
lives.
C
Timely,
respectful,
cost-effective
resources
are
necessary
to
promote
health
and
well-being
in
the
arlington
community.
Dhs
customers
receive
equity-driven
services
with
ease
choice
and
dignity
by
equity-driven
services.
We
mean
that
we
will
ask
essential
questions
about
all
of
our
programs,
services
policies
and
practices
who
benefits?
Who
is
burdened?
Who
is
missing,
and
how
do
we
know
when
we
answer
those
questions?
We
are
committed
to
making
changes
so
that
our
programs
are
truly
accessible,
especially
to
those
who
have
been
marginalized
and
have
the
highest
needs.
D
Dhs
programs
are
stronger
when
they
honor
and
recognize
the
diverse
voices,
cultures
and
individuality
in
the
community
and
in
the
department
dhs
responds
to
community
and
staff
needs
by
building
relationships,
listening
to
lived
experiences
and
taking
meaningful
action
to
ensure
equitable
representation,
participation
and
decision
making.
Inclusion
is
important
both
for
our
clients
and
internally
with
staff.
It
means
not
only
do
you
have
a
seat
at
the
table,
but
you
also
have
a
welcomed
and
appreciated
voice
at
that
table
that
informs
decision
making
and
helps
shape
our
programs
and
services.
F
Dhs
pursues
continuous
improvement,
shares
information
in
a
transparent
manner
and
collaboratively
works
towards
outcomes
that
eliminate
racial
inequities.
Building
and
maintaining
public
trust
is
essential
for
any
government
agency.
We
are
committed
to
our
efforts
to
eliminate
racial
inequities
and
welcome
youth
to
work
alongside
us
on
this
journey.
We
started
building
on
this
years
ago
in
our
equity
performance
measurement
plans,
we
analyze
our
services
and
break
down
data
by
race
and
ethnicity,
to
identify
disparities
or
gaps.
We
address
the
potential
root
causes
and
we
try
to
find
solutions
to
eliminate
inequities.
F
G
An
organization's
vision
is
what
we
aspire
to
the
vision,
communicates
dhs's
purpose
to
both
employees
and
community
members.
The
new
dhs
vision
is
that
arlington
is
a
just
and
equitable
community
that
is
healthy,
safe,
economically
secure
and
free
of
systemic
racism.
Dhs's
vision
is
a
glimpse
into
what
our
community
will
be.
Once
our
mission
is
achieved.
Together,
we
can
work
to
make
the
vision
a
reality
at
dhs.
We
will
work
toward
our
vision
by
incorporating
our
values
into
the
way
that
we
do
our
work.
G
A
Thank
you
to
my
colleagues
who
have
helped
to
develop
and
present
the
new
vision
and
value
statements
which
will
certainly
guide
our
new
path.
The
final
piece
is
our
new
mission.
This
describes
how
we
will
use
our
organizational
values
as
the
building
blocks.
To
achieve
our
vision
in
solidarity
with
black
indigenous
and
people
of
color.
A
A
As
I
said
at
the
beginning,
words
matter,
and
our
actions
must
demonstrate
commitment
to
these
words,
so
that
we
can
achieve
this
vision.
Dhs
needs
your
support
and
partnership
to
make
this
vision
a
reality.
Creating
a
community
where
everyone
is
safe,
healthy,
economically
secure
and
free
from
systemic
racism
will
not
be
easy
and
quick
work.
We
will
be
required
to
examine
ourselves
both
our
actions
and
inaction,
and
we
must
repair
harm
to
build
trust.