Additional Resources:
- The Dawn of System Leadership by Peter Senge, Hal Hamilton, & John Kania (Stanford Social Innovation Review)
- The Cascading Curves of Poverty of COVID-19 by Dr. Larissa Estes
- White Fragility by Dr. Robin DiAngelo
- Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Dr. Joy DeGruy
Description:
COVID-19 does not affect everyone equally. Public health crises by their nature reveal existing inequities and make them worse. This is especially true among Black, Indigenous and People of Color who are disproportionately harmed by institutionalized policies and practices that knowingly and unknowingly perpetuate racism and discrimination – creating disparities and poverty. Generations of historically traumatic events have a profound impact on a community’s health, increasing vulnerability to behavioral and other complex health needs.
Now several months into the COVID-19 crisis, what does this look like on the ground from the eyes of our disenfranchised communities? How has this pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing inequities? As leaders, we must be prepared to have difficult conversations about structural racism and resulting inequities and be willing to develop collaborative strategies to address.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to identify and classify inequities experienced from the lens of the communities or populations they serve.
- Participants will understand the impacts of inequities on populations with behavioral and other complex health needs.
- Participants will be able to articulate concrete examples of ways in which as leaders, they can address inequities occurring at each level of the social ecological model.
Speaker Information:
Jei Africa, PsyD, MSCP, Director of Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Dr. Jei Africa is the Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services at the County of Marin. He is an innovative thought leader and clinician who is passionate about integrating effective culturally responsive practices into the core functioning of County health services. Dr. Africa has over two decades experience in the areas of behavioral health, trauma, health equity and diversity. He also maintains a consulting and private psychotherapy practice in the Bay area.
Dr. Larissa J. Estes, DrPH, Executive Director, ALL IN Alameda County
Dr. Larissa J. Estes is the Executive Director of ALL IN Alameda County. ALL IN was launched in 2014 by County Supervisor Wilma Chan to address issues of poverty in response to growing inequality. Dr. Estes has over 20 years of experience in allied health, healthcare, and public health with a focus on community and equity and is interested in integrating evidence-informed strategies into policy and practice across sectors that impact community health and wellbeing.
