Learn about intersectionality and its importance for human services. Discover six effective strategies to address intersectionality in your human services work or experience.

Desenvolva empatia e busque aprender com as experiÃªncias e perspectivas de pessoas com diferentes interseccionalidades, como raÃ§a, gÃªnero, classe social, orientaÃ§Ã£o sexual, religiÃ£o, idade e deficiÃªncia. Integre a interseccionalidade em todos os nÃveis da prestaÃ§Ã£o de serviÃ§os, desde a avaliaÃ§Ã£o e planejamento atÃ© a implementaÃ§Ã£o e avaliaÃ§Ã£o de programas e serviÃ§os.

What are effective strategies to address intersectionality in human services?

Intersectionality is the concept that people experience multiple and overlapping forms of oppression and discrimination based on their identities, such as race, gender, class, sexuality, disability, and more. In human services, intersectionality is a crucial lens to understand the needs, challenges, and strengths of diverse clients and communities. However, addressing intersectionality in human services is not easy. It requires awareness, sensitivity, and action from both service providers and service users. Here are some effective strategies to address intersectionality in human services.

Key takeaways from this article

Develop a cultural plan:

Create a visual map of your team's diverse identities in collaboration with HR to recognize existing supports and gaps. This paves the way for tailored, inclusive policies and practices.
Empathetic learning:

Actively seek out and value different perspectives, particularly from people with varied intersectional identities. This enhances service delivery by ensuring it is sensitive to the nuanced needs of all clients.

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1 Recognize your own biases and privileges

The first step to address intersectionality in human services is to acknowledge your own biases and privileges as a service provider or a service user. Biases are the unconscious or conscious attitudes and stereotypes that affect your perception and behavior towards others. Privileges are the unearned advantages and benefits that you have based on your identity and social position. By recognizing your own biases and privileges, you can become more aware of how they influence your interactions, decisions, and outcomes in human services. You can also challenge yourself to learn from and empathize with others who have different experiences and perspectives.

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Josbertini Clementino

Especialista em RelaÃ§Ãµes Governamentais | RelaÃ§Ãµes Institucionais | PolÃticas PÃºblicas | Assuntos Governamentais | Conselheiro de AdministraÃ§Ã£o IBGC | GestÃ£o Executiva e de Projetos | Membro Open Mind
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Desenvolva empatia e busque aprender com as experiÃªncias e perspectivas de pessoas com diferentes interseccionalidades, como raÃ§a, gÃªnero, classe social, orientaÃ§Ã£o sexual, religiÃ£o, idade e deficiÃªncia. Integre a interseccionalidade em todos os nÃveis da prestaÃ§Ã£o de serviÃ§os, desde a avaliaÃ§Ã£o e planejamento atÃ© a implementaÃ§Ã£o e avaliaÃ§Ã£o de programas e serviÃ§os.

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2 Educate yourself and others about intersectionality

The second step to address intersectionality in human services is to educate yourself and others about intersectionality. Education is the process of acquiring and sharing knowledge and skills about intersectionality and its implications for human services. You can educate yourself by reading, listening, watching, or attending relevant resources and events that explore intersectionality from various angles and contexts. You can educate others by facilitating or participating in dialogues, trainings, workshops, or campaigns that raise awareness and understanding about intersectionality and its impact on human services. Education can help you and others to develop a more nuanced and holistic view of intersectionality and its importance for human services.

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Josbertini Clementino

Especialista em RelaÃ§Ãµes Governamentais | RelaÃ§Ãµes Institucionais | PolÃticas PÃºblicas | Assuntos Governamentais | Conselheiro de AdministraÃ§Ã£o IBGC | GestÃ£o Executiva e de Projetos | Membro Open Mind
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Promova diÃ¡logos abertos e respeitosos sobre interseccionalidade com colegas, amigos, familiares e a comunidade em geral, incentivando a escuta ativa e a troca de diferentes perspectivas. Incentive a capacitaÃ§Ã£o e treinamento de profissionais de serviÃ§os humanos em interseccionalidade, promovendo a compreensÃ£o de como diferentes formas de opressÃ£o se entrelaÃ§am e impactam o acesso e a qualidade dos serviÃ§os. Utilize materiais didÃ¡ticos acessÃveis e inclusivos que reflitam a diversidade de experiÃªncias e identidades, promovendo a representatividade e o reconhecimento de diferentes grupos sociais.

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3 Incorporate intersectionality into policies and practices

The third step to address intersectionality in human services is to incorporate intersectionality into policies and practices. Policies are the rules and guidelines that govern how human services are designed, delivered, and evaluated. Practices are the actions and behaviors that implement and reflect the policies. To incorporate intersectionality into policies and practices, you need to consult and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, such as clients, communities, staff, partners, and funders, who have different intersectional identities and experiences. You also need to adopt and apply an intersectional framework that considers how multiple factors interact and affect the access, quality, and outcomes of human services.

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4 Support and empower intersectional groups and individuals

The fourth step to address intersectionality in human services is to support and empower intersectional groups and individuals. Support is the provision of resources, assistance, and encouragement that enable intersectional groups and individuals to overcome barriers and challenges in human services. Empowerment is the process of enhancing the capacity, confidence, and agency of intersectional groups and individuals to participate and influence human services. To support and empower intersectional groups and individuals, you need to listen and respond to their needs, preferences, and feedback. You also need to create and sustain a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment that values and celebrates their diversity and contributions.

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Ricki Spencer

Health Sociologist, Public & Digital Health Advisor , Transhealth, Housing Security , Ageing Queerly, First Nations Justice Truth & Exploring unconscious bias and power dynamics. Volunteerism is my DNA. Care ðŸŒ
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In my experience as a social worker and community development worker for 30 years in both the public and non for profit sectors, when working with the visibility and focus on intersectionality is to first plan a strategy of action. I would suggest the following approaches 1. Take a snapshot of your workforce and visually graph de identity the participants with HR and outline what your work place is and what supports you have already in place 2. Do an environmental scan for similar agencies to yourself and gain an idea of how they have introduced policies to support diversity within their workspaces 3. Develop a plan with key stakeholders and allocate and appoint a person passionate about overseeing the cultural workplace plan

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5 Monitor and evaluate the impact of intersectionality

The fifth step to address intersectionality in human services is to monitor and evaluate the impact of intersectionality. Monitoring is the regular collection and analysis of data and information that track the progress and performance of human services. Evaluation is the systematic assessment and judgment of the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of human services. To monitor and evaluate the impact of intersectionality, you need to use and develop appropriate indicators, methods, and tools that capture and measure the intersectional dimensions and outcomes of human services. You also need to use and communicate the findings and recommendations to inform and improve human services.

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6 Advocate and mobilize for intersectional change

The sixth and final step to address intersectionality in human services is to advocate and mobilize for intersectional change. Advocacy is the act of speaking up and acting out for the rights, interests, and needs of intersectional groups and individuals in human services. Mobilization is the act of engaging and organizing intersectional groups and individuals to participate and influence human services. To advocate and mobilize for intersectional change, you need to identify and articulate the issues, goals, and demands of intersectional groups and individuals in human services. You also need to build and leverage networks, alliances, and platforms that amplify and advance their voices and actions.

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7 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that donâ€™t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Directory

What are effective strategies to address intersectionality in human services?

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3

4

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1 Recognize your own biases and privileges

2 Educate yourself and others about intersectionality

3 Incorporate intersectionality into policies and practices

4 Support and empower intersectional groups and individuals

5 Monitor and evaluate the impact of intersectionality

6 Advocate and mobilize for intersectional change

7 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

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