Forum on Inclusion, Equity, and Opportunity in Schools

Tune in to our event on June 22, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm ET Re-imagining Inclusion, Equity, and Opportunity in Schools: A Conversation and Call to Action

SAVE THE DATE! Join the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law on June 22, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm ET as we host a conversation and call to action to re-imagine inclusion, equity, and opportunity in schools. This event is free and accessible to all, and we encourage you to share it with your networks. Monique Dixon,  Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy in the U.S. Education Department Office for Civil Rights, will give the opening remarks. We will also host a national panel of policymakers, educators, clinicians, and students with lived experience. These speakers include: Kristen Harper - Director of Policy Development and Outreach, Child Trends Narell Joyner - Consultant, Settlement Agreement, G.P. et al. v. Montgomery (AL) Public Schools  Ebony Laboy - MPH Candidate, Rollins School of Public Health Marvin Mitchell - Consultant; former Special Education Administrator, J.P. Manning Elementary School (Boston, MA) Kadian Simmonds - 2nd Grade Teacher, J.P. Manning Elementary School (Boston, MA) Speakers from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law include: Ira Burnim - Legal Director Holly O'Donnell - President & CEO Jalyn Radziminski - Communications Manager RSVP for this event here. More about the event: Historically and during the COVID-19 pandemic, students with disabilities, especially BIPOC students, have been disproportionately segregated, punished, and policed in school settings. The pandemic has challenged school systems to be more flexible in restructuring the way education is delivered, including by using strategies that would have previously seemed impossible. Join us as students, families, educators, advocates and other stakeholders across the nation regroup and reassess what education looks like, both in-person and online, when students are included and receive equal educational opportunities. ***ASL, interpretation, and closed-captioning is available for this webinar If you are experiencing difficulties registering or have accessibility questions please contact communications@bazelon.org. ***** Source: Bazelon Center newsletter, June 16, 2021.

 

June Public Diversity Public Trainings

June 11, 2021

Dimensions of Diversity June 15, 2021​ 10:00am - 1:00pm Register at mccr.events/DoDJune2021 This training workshop provides both information and opportunity to examine and understand the concepts of culture, cultural information and its’ origin, and how it impacts the workplace. Workshop content includes: Key Diversity Definitions Cycle of Information/Misinformation Examining and understanding the issues of bias Multi-Cultural Communication Awareness Conflict Resolution in the Workplace June 23, 2021​ 10:00am - 1:00pm Register at mccr.events/ConflictResJune2021 This interactive training workshop examines the role of interpersonal conflict and its’ impact on the workplace. The workshop provides both insight and information on the causes and process of conflict and offers conflict management techniques. Workshop content includes: Causes of Conflict Cycle of Conflict Conflict styles Conflict Management Tools & Techniques Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity June 29, 2021​ 10:00am - 1:00pm Register at mccr.events/SOGIJune2021 This engaging training workshop highlights current information regarding sexual orientation and gender identity anti-discrimination law in Maryland. The workshop also provides information on the basic concepts, definitions, and issues that may arise in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. Workshop content includes: Definitions Applicable Laws Kinsey Scale of Sexuality Orientation and Identity Issues Orientation and Identity in the Workplace Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships HOME      ABOUT MCCR      SERVICES      PUBLICATIONS      EVENTS      PRESS      CONTACT US

Stay Connected with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

 MCCR Workshop on Health Disparities facing the LGBT Community

June 11, 2021

A Hidden Health Crisis: Health Disparities facing the LGBT Community Monday, June 28, 2021 12:00pm - 2:00pm Register at mccr.events/LGBTQHealth Did you know that MCCR enforces Maryland's antidiscrimination laws with respect to the provision of Health Services? LGBTQ individuals face significant disparities in physical and mental health outcomes. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, LGBTQ patients have higher rates of anal cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease, obesity, substance abuse, cigarette smoking, and suicide. There are many causes of the health disparities faced by LGBTQ+ people. These include: The minority status of LGBTQ+ people A lack of specific education and training for health care workers A lack of clinical research on LGBTQ+ health-related issues Restrictive health benefits Limited role models Fear due to stigma, discrimination, and institutional bias in the health care system Please join us for a panel presentation featuring speakers from the Maryland Department of Health: Arif J. Griffin, PhD,MBA Pronouns: He,Him,His Senior Program Specialist Minority Health and Health Disparities Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Stephanie C. Slowly MSW, LCSW-C Acting Chief of Staff Director, Systems Management Behavioral Health Administration Maryland Department of Health Presented in partnership with Chase Brexton Health Care.

Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships

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 Fair Housing Action Center Offers New Disability and Housing Training

The Fair Housing Action Center has developed a NEW Know Your Rights training covering Disability and Housing. In this training, we review the fair housing rights of people with disabilities, including their right to reasonable accommodations and modifications. Reasonable accommodations and modifications include things like installing grab bars in bathrooms for stability, reserved parking for mobility challenges, and emotional support animals to help manage mental health. 

Attendees will learn how to request reasonable accommodations and modifications, what resources are available to pay for modifications, and what to do if their request is denied. We also offer this training to service providers, case managers, health care workers, and anyone else who might request accommodations or modifications on behalf of their clients. 

If you’re interested in this training for your community, clients, or team, contact Robyn at Robyn@marylandconsumers.org.

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Source: Maryland Consumers Rights Coalition Newsletter, June 4, 2021.

Stay Connected:

Baltimore Builds Virtual Workshop Series

June 2021

06/03/2021

Register at http://bit.ly/bmorebuildsjune2021.

Help us revitalize the City of Baltimore through purchasing and developing City-owned properties. During this series, you will learn how to utilize CodeMap to find development opportunities, prepare for your community renewal project, and purchase City-owned properties that are right for you.

The sessions are:

June 09 - CoDeMap - A Perfect Tool to Help Advance Your Community Development Project

    Wednesday, June 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

    Speaker: Kimberly Rubens

June 16 - Baltimore City Pre-Development Program

    Wednesday, June 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

    Speaker: Eric Tiso

June 23 - How to Buy City-Owned Properties

    Wednesday, June 23, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

    Speaker: Teresa Stephens

For questions and more information: Contact Us.

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Source: Baltimore DHCD, June 4, 2021.

Day of Action Against Antisemitism

There has been a surge in antisemitism in the United States and around the world. This hate is unacceptable, and inaction is inexcusable.

Show your solidarity by joining the American Jewish Committee; ADL; Hadassah, WZOA, inc.; Jewish Federations of North America; and Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America this Thursday, May 27th for a Day of Action Against Antisemitism.  During the Day of Action Against Antisemitism, tools will be provided to amplify your voice with thousands more to demand action and gather virtually for a rally at 4pm ET / 1pm PT to hear from prominent government officials as well as leaders from the Jewish community and civil rights organizations, among others. ***** Source: Baltimore Jewish Council email, May 25, 2021.

GAO REPORT FINDS MANY FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN HUD VOUCHER PROGRAM LIVING IN UNITS WITH LEAD DANGERS

 

A new GAO report, Lead Paint in Housing: Key Considerations for Adopting Stricter Lead Evaluation Methods in HUD’s Voucher Program (GAO-21-325), points out that HUD’s voucher program has 1.1 million families living in housing units built before 1978. This includes about 229,000 children under 6 years old - who research has shown that are at greatest risk from lead exposure. Lead paint can seriously affect young children's health and has been banned from use in U.S. housing since 1978.

The report - released on May 12, 2021 - also evaluates the costs and feasibility of an intensified inspection program by HUD to identify lead-unsafe properties, but does not mention the importance of offering assistance to families with young children to move to lead-safe properties and neighborhoods. 

The report documented that about 171,000 units were occupied by approximately 229,000 young children (under age 6), putting these children at an increased risk of lead exposure. The HUD voucher program requires visual assessments for identifying deteriorated paint, with no testing of paint or dust. Any change to stricter evaluation methods would need to consider that certain states have a larger portion of pre-1978 voucher units occupied by families with young children.

Estimated costs for adopting stricter lead evaluation methods for the voucher program would vary substantially depending on the method used and what units were included (see figure). Estimated initial costs range from about $60 million for a less expensive method applied only to units with young children to about $880 million for a more expensive method applied to all pre-1978 units. These estimated costs range from 3% to 41%, respectively, of the fiscal year 2021 budget dedicated to public housing agencies' administrative expenses for the voucher program. Total costs would also depend on the mobility of voucher households and the frequency of any additional lead evaluations.

GAO analyzed HUD data on the voucher program (as of year-end 2019, the most recent available) and information on lead professionals from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and states. GAO also conducted a nationwide, generalizable survey of lead professionals to estimate the costs of lead evaluation methods. In addition, GAO interviewed staff from HUD, EPA, and public housing agencies, and representatives from two national organizations that represent lead professionals.

For more information about the study, contact John H. Pendleton at (202) 512-8678 or pendletonj@gao.gov.

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Source: Poverty & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC), "PRRAC Update: Housing finance and racial justice; Strength in Diversity candidates," May 20, 2021.