Race Equity Partnership Program

For information on racial and ethnic disparities in Massachusetts youth serving systems. click here.

 The recent rise of activism across both Massachusetts and the nation has brought the racial justice and equity to the forefront of the public discourse. It has become clear that there is work to be done and this includes the need for youth serving agencies, organizations and entities to address racial inequity both internally and in their provision of services. Massachusetts child serving systems – organizations working in child welfare, education, policing and juvenile justice – express a commitment to the principles of diversity and racial equity. Despite this, there are documented racial disparities impacting young people at nearly every decision point. There is wide variation, both between individuals and organizations, in commitment to achieving racial equity across youth serving systems and even where that commitment exists, some leaders can feel unclear on the best method to address racial inequity and measure change.

This is why Citizens for Juvenile Justice has created the Race Equity Partnership Program. When organizations implement race equity principles and competencies through policy improvement and increased training opportunities, it will impact organization-level outcomes and contribute toward positive population-level equity outcomes for children, families, and the communities they they live in.

 The base model of the program lasts for a year and is broken into two phases: 1) An assessment phase and 2) an action phase. 

The assessment phase involves two action steps that transpire over two months: a preliminary meeting with leadership to set expectations and develop a detailed timeline and work plan and performing an organizational self-assessment that identifies areas of focus and selects members of an internal working group that will continue to implement the work plan.

The action phase involves four action steps that transpires over the remaining 10 months. These steps include 1) the internal working group drafting strategies and an accountability framework to improve the identified focus areas with consultation and support from CfJJ 2) a meeting with leadership to review and validate the strategies and accountability framework 3) trainings and designed and delivered and policies developed with CfJJ support 4) performance of a 12 month self-assessment to measure progress. Throughout the action phase, CfJJ provides expert support, assistance and accountability checks pursuant to the developed accountability framework. 

Beyond this basic framework, it is important to note that this is not a "one size fits all" model". The assessment process meets every organization where they are and helps identify the most crucial areas in need of improvement, and develop a plan to address those areas.

For more information, contact Joshua Dankoff at joshuadankoff@cfjj.org.