VA Diversity & Inclusion Advocate Program (VADIAP)
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D&I Advocates assist VA Leadership, employees and Veterans by…
-Creating a VA Culture of Diversity & Inclusion
-Serving as Diversity & Inclusion Champions for their Service
-Building A Strong VA-Wide Special Emphasis Program
-Personal A.C.T.I.O.N (Advocacy, Connections, Training, In-reach, Outreach, Networking)
Origin:
January 2021, Orlando VA Medical Center
Adoptions:
9 successful, 7 in-progress
Awards and Recognition:
Orlando Invested Innovation
Partners:
Diffusion of Excellence, Systems Redesign and Improvement
Recent Updates
Overview
The problem
I developed a program which professional EEO staff can implement at their facility to train a select cadre of service-level D&I Advocates in EEODI, Mediation and Conflict Resolution Skills and assign collateral-duty, employee-volunteers as POCs in their service for staff/Veterans/customers who may need information on how to reach important internal stakehold
...
I developed a program which professional EEO staff can implement at their facility to train a select cadre of service-level D&I Advocates in EEODI, Mediation and Conflict Resolution Skills and assign collateral-duty, employee-volunteers as POCs in their service for staff/Veterans/customers who may need information on how to reach important internal stakeholders. These D&I Advocates will share upcoming Special Emphasis Program/Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) activities and help ensure information is flowing within their teams; assist their leadership in promoting DEI in their work areas and serve as a SAFE PLACE for co-workers, Veterans and customers to come to report workplace discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation, or any wrong-doing information. This select cadre of collateral duty D&I Advocates would report directly to the EEO Manager and be trained by local EEO Office staff members and certified Mediators/Conflict Resolution Skills Trainers. The D&I Advocate Program empowers employees to "Be the Key to Diversity & Inclusion" in their work areas.
See
more
Links
- Pamela Black- The Think-Outside-the-Box Mindset which created the VA Diversity and Inclusion Advocate Program Pamela Black "THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX" for Diversity & Inclusion
The solution
The Orlando VA Healthcare System EEO Office piloted the VA Diversity and Inclusion Advocate Program (VADIAP) in FY21. Supervisors nominated D&I Advocates to represent their service. The D&I Advocates aim to assist leadership to improve communication, help resolve conflict at the lowest levels, motivate staff participation in Special Emphasis Program (SEP)
...
The Orlando VA Healthcare System EEO Office piloted the VA Diversity and Inclusion Advocate Program (VADIAP) in FY21. Supervisors nominated D&I Advocates to represent their service. The D&I Advocates aim to assist leadership to improve communication, help resolve conflict at the lowest levels, motivate staff participation in Special Emphasis Program (SEP) activities and help promote a work culture of inclusion, diversity, equity and access. Our D&I Advocate Program pilot began by obtaining leadership buy-in, supervisors nominated staff who are passionate about advocating for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in their service. We facilitated a virtual D&I Advocate Program orientation and Unconscious Bias Training for all assigned advocates; advocates receive Mediation Skills Training, are provided appointment letters and training certificates. We purchased kiwi-colored polo shirts with our newly created D&I Advocate emblem, so our D&I Advocates can "Stand Out for Diversity & Inclusion" in their workplace. We host a monthly D&I Committee Meeting which the advocates attend and receive important SEP information about upcoming events/outreach/training/community engagement. The advocates then share this information within their service to inform and gain participation in upcoming SEP activities.
See
more
Links
- Mariel Santana, VA Diversity & Inclusion Advocate Program Igniting the Flame Inside of Employees to Help Create a More Diverse & Inclusive Workplace
The results
The goals of the D&I Advocate Program are to help share DEI information throughout the organization and help resolve workplace conflict at the lowest levels. To date in our pilot program we've conducted D&I Advocate Program orientation, provided an overview of the EEO Program, facilitated Unconscious Bias Training and plan to offer Mediation Skills Training
...
The goals of the D&I Advocate Program are to help share DEI information throughout the organization and help resolve workplace conflict at the lowest levels. To date in our pilot program we've conducted D&I Advocate Program orientation, provided an overview of the EEO Program, facilitated Unconscious Bias Training and plan to offer Mediation Skills Training for all assigned advocates to help reduce workplace conflicts. This program empowers employees to be effective communicators and help resolve conflict at the service line level. We've presented this program to the Secretary of the VA, Mr. Denis McDonough and VA executive leadership as it aligns with VA priorities of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA). This program has already inspired networking, comradery, connecting service lines, inclusion, teamwork, and a boost in morale.
See
more
Images
Above:
Service-level VA Diversity & Inclusion Advocates "Standing Out for D&I" Across Our Healthcare System on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week.
Links
- My Why for D&I by Nadege Jean-Paul explains why D&I Advocates help to positively shape and grow a more diverse and inclusive work culture. My Why for D&I by Nadege Jean-Paul
Metrics
- Building Trust- Employees have been more receptive to speaking with their peers and sharing concerns with our Special Emphasis Program Managers.
- Employees who are already engaged and passionate about DEI are volunteering to serve as advocates for their work areas.
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Multimedia
Images
Above:
Diversity Week 2021 In-Reach at the Orlando VA Medical Center
Implementation
Timeline
-
1 month from Implementation of Initial Steps
Supervisors nominate one or more employees to serve as collateral duty, service level advocates.Employee completes and returns D&I Advocate application and Polo Shirt Order Form. -
2 weeks for Training
Unconscious Bias TrainingMediation/Conflict Resolution Skills Training -
1-2 days for Orientation
EEO Office staff provides an overview of the EEO Program and Special Emphasis/Diversity & Inclusion Program; shares advocates roles & responsibilities.Provide D&I Advocate Appointment Letter and contact/engagement checklist. -
1 week Ordering of Supplies
Ordering polo shirts, marketing tools (ex. keychains, lanyards, etc.).Distribute the supplies to each advocate once received.
Departments
- Laboratory and pathology
- Homeless Veteran care
- Dental/oral surgery
- Emergency care
- Complementary and alternative medicine
- Chaplaincy
- Building management
- Occupational health and safety
- Nursing services
- Education and training
- LGBTQ+ Veteran care
- Human resources
- Administration
Core Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
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PROCESSES |
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TOOLS |
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Files
- VADIAP Pitch Slides and files created by Pamela Black, EEO Manager at the Orlando VA Healthcare System VA Diversity & Inclusion Advocate Program Presentation and Implementation Pitch Slides
- Contact to order marketing items, logo design, declaration template, helpful info Helpful Information for Starting Your Own VADIAP
Support Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
PROCESSES |
|
Files
- VADIAP Presentation & SEP Best Practices. Files created by Pamela Black, EEO Manager at the Orlando VA. VADIAP Presentation Slides and Orlando VA Healthcare System SEP Best Practices
Contact
Comment
Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.
Email VHAORLEEODiversity&InclusionOffice@va.gov with questions about this innovation.
About
Origin story
Are you showing up in your life and work authentically each day? Do you really know your work team members? When was the last time you introduced yourself to someone new in your workplace? Would you feel comfortable reporting wrongdoing in your office or work environment? How are you "Standing Out for Diversity and Inclusion" in your community or workpla
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Are you showing up in your life and work authentically each day? Do you really know your work team members? When was the last time you introduced yourself to someone new in your workplace? Would you feel comfortable reporting wrongdoing in your office or work environment? How are you "Standing Out for Diversity and Inclusion" in your community or workplace? Hi, I'm Pam Black, the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Manager at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. Since I was a little Black girl, growing up in the South side of Memphis, TN during the Civil Rights era, feeling the growing pangs of segregation and many of the negative mental-physical-spiritual emotions brought about by racial tensions similar to the ones we're all seeing in the world today; I've always been passionate about helping others and connecting with diverse groups of people. I joined the U.S Airforce two weeks after graduating from high school just so I could escape the black and white world I'd grew up in as a child. I wanted to see more of the diverse and colorful world! As a Veteran and federal employee, I also have a heart of service towards Veterans, women, minorities and Individuals with Disabilities.
There have been times in my military, civilian and federal careers where I felt disconnected from my team because I was different, unimportant to those in leadership because I didn't fit their idea of a strong leader, undervalued by my supervisor, discriminated against because of the color of my skin, harassed because of my sex, misunderstood by those who never tried to get to know me, teased because of my Southern accent and kinky hair, held back from training and advancement because of other folks expectations for my career, kept in a box and not included as a member of the work team simply because I am me. I can empathize with those of you who are passionate, intelligent, bright, bold, artistic, creative, innovative, diverse and unique; yet, because you are operating each day within the limitations of an "in-the-box" mentality, you feel hopeless, disengaged, tired and are merely showing up unauthentically to work each day just to pay the bills. I feel your pain! 😊
On my first day of work as the EEO Manager at the Orlando VAMC my new supervisor; the Medical Center Director, gave me a charge to "THINK OUTSIDE-OF-THE-BOX" and then my supervisor assured me he'd support my positive efforts to improve our EEO Program. Well, that was all I needed to hear in order to be my most authentic, intelligent, creative, passionate, innovative, culturally competent, bold, unique, and beautiful self! With the charge to 'THINK-OUTSIDE-OF-THE-BOX" I imaged a workplace where we all would feel comfortable showing up authentically each day. I imaged culturally competent, connected people from all races, cultures, ethnicities, religions, groups, sexes, professions and the like all coming together to positively create a work culture of INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY and ACCESS for everyone. My thought was to create a cadre of collateral duty, service-level Diversity and Inclusion Advocates; these full-time employees in the GS-07 to GS-11 (some GS-12 & higher) paygrades would be trained by EEO staff in mediation/conflict resolution skills and they've serve as boots-on-the-ground D&I Advocates to spread all the good news about our healthcare system's Special Emphasis Program (SEP) to their peers/leadership. Many EEO Offices are understaff and some SEPs are not functioning due to lack of collateral duty Special Emphasis Program Managers and low employee engagement.
I saw our VA-wide team of service level D&I Advocates performing as members of our Diversity & Inclusion Committee and effecting positive culture change within their work environments. This new D&I Advocate Program is also a great opportunity to have SEPs engagement in every service within our facility. Our D&I Advocates are on the frontlines in their services/units/offices to provide information, share important internal stakeholder POC's information, help the EEO Office staff conduct D&I training in their services, encourage staff participation in D&I observances/events and share cultural diversity training information at the service level. The D&I Advocates are all charged to "THINK-OUTSIDE-OF-THE-BOX" and "STAND OUT FOR DIVERSITY & INCLUSION!"
Like the military and other connected groups, I believed our advocates needed a uniform or some type of clothing to identify us as special D&I contributors! I felt we needed a unique identifier similar to the red vests/jackets VA volunteers wear; brown or green shirts some EMS staff wear; blue scrubs for nurses; white coats for doctors, sorority and fraternity colors, or like the military branch-specific uniforms and insignia. I conducted an email voting poll of our D&I Committee and we chose bight Kiwi colored polo shirts and neon rainbow lanyards as our uniform. I also created our VADIAP motto “I AM THE KEY TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION” which we had printed on keychains we give to all staff who attend our SEP activities. Our program goal is to "STAND OUT FOR DIVERSITY & INCLUSION" in our work areas so staff know they can come to us with concerns or information. Our EEO Staff and Special Emphasis Program Managers wear Royal Blue polos; optional daily, and mandatory during official outreach activities. Our D&I Advocates wear Kiwi polo shirts; optional daily, and mandatory during official outreach activities. We all wear our Kiwi polo shirts on Tuesdays and Thursdays which we've coined as "STAND OUT FOR D&I INCLUSION" DAYS. We wanted colors which stand out and allow staff to know who to come to for D&I info or help with workplace conflict.
Since we initiated the new D&I Advocate Program Innovation Project pilot at the Orlando VA Healthcare System in January 2021, I now see the passion my co-workers and fellow D&I Committee Members have for diversity and inclusion; we are beginning to meet and connect with new team members across our healthcare system; staff are more engaged and informed about the EEO Office and Special Emphasis Programs. We're beginning to feel hopeful for a better work experience; we're more engaged in our workplace and local community DEI activities; we're energized to "BE THE KEY TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION" in our work areas, and we're showing up to work each day authentically "OUTSIDE-OF-THE-BOX" to make a positive difference in the lives of Veterans, their widows, Military Families and on our VA-wide team.
Join us in spreading the D&I Advocate Program at your organization; help your team “STAND OUT FOR DIVERSITY & INCLUSION!”
Pam
Original team
Pamela Black
EEO Manager
Nadege Jean-Paul
EEO Assistant
Nadege Jean-Paul
EEO Assistant
WOW!
The training has been very impressive this week. I would like to participate in the WPB VA adopting the Diversity & Inclusion Advocate Program.
Let me know when you and Team WPB are ready to spread then VADIAP!
Today was the second time I have heard a presentation about this program. I'm so impressed with it and sent a link to my EEO/DEI and SEPM (again). I would love to participate as an employee.
Hi Michelle, Thank you so much for your support and interest in the VADIAP! We'd love to talk with your EEO/DEI Manager and SEPMs to get them involved in adopting the program at your facility. Share this link which has a lot of helpful information so the EEO Manager can understand how he/she/they can adopt their own version of the VADIAP.
This is really great and i would love to participate. Are you able to share any information on how you obtained the funding for the shirts and give aways?
Thank you Donna! We pitched our project at our facility level Shark Tank and used innoVAtion grant funds to get the project started. The implementation process, PowerPoint slide, and Word document with other important information is contained on this page. We appreciate your support. Let us know if you'd like to adopt the VADIAP at your organization.
Great initiative ! Let's spread it nationally!!!
Are you ready to adopt the VADIAP in Miami?
By adopting the VA Diversity & Inclusion Advocate Program, the Orlando VA is helping to create a VA culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility!
Ms. Black, how do I go about joining the innovation team?