Equity, Inclusion and Diversity
Kaiser Permanente has a strong commitment to diversity, and we believe in equity and inclusion for all.
Our organization strives to create an inclusive workplace for our employees, deliver quality health care that is culturally responsive to our members and patients, and address the total health of the communities we serve.
To optimize patient care and the appreciation of diversity at an organizational level, Kaiser Permanente has established the Institute of Culturally Competent Care as well as “Centers of Excellence,” which responds to specific health needs of certain populations.
Kaiser Permanente has been recognized for the sixth consecutive year (2023) in the Diversity Inc Top 50 Hall of Fame for our diversity and inclusion practices in hiring, retaining and promoting women, minorities, veterans, people with disabilities and people in the LGBTQ community. Additionally, EID Officers Drs Chinue A Brown and Mandeep Tumber-Bhela received the RJ Erickson Group Award, which recognizes individuals and groups across Kaiser Permanents that champion equity, inclusion, and diversity, for their EID work in the Kaiser Mental Health Training Program.
Learn more about Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity at Kaiser Permanente
Mental Health Training Program Commitment
The Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Training Program has a long-standing commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Diversity and justice. We design each of our programs’ curricula with diversity training as a major component and encourage our training faculty and trainees to foster cultural humility. Seeing things beyond our own perspective improves interpersonal interactions with our colleagues and the people we serve and becoming a better therapist.
Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Initiatives
Mentorship Program
This EID-focused program matches interested trainees with licensed providers in Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Departments who serve as mentors and offer guidance and support distinct from what is provided by formal clinical supervision.
Voice of the Trainee Program
Each training year, selected trainees are appointed to participate with the Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Officer Team to ensure direct input from our trainees on current EID issues related to mental health training and the delivery of mental health services.
Spanish Bilingual Specialty Training (SBST)
This specialty programming supports trainees who are able to provide mental health services to patients in both Spanish and English. Trainees are provided with individual and group consultation and didactics in both languages.
Gender Health Competency Program
The Gender Health Competency Training (GHCT) prepares trainees to provide gender-affirming, inclusive mental health services. Through a combination of didactics, case consultation, guest speakers, and educational resources participants will be prepared for a career in gender health both at KP and beyond.
Community Partnership Projects
Reflecting our commitment to mental health and wellness in our communities, trainees engage in a project that focuses on improving mental health in the local community. The goal of this project is to provide outreach to underserved populations in the community to promote healthy behaviors.
Community Mentorship Program
This mentorship program matches trainees with high school students interested in mental health careers. The purpose of this program is to provide career guidance and academic support to adolescents from underserved and underrepresented communities.
Goals of our Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Program
We aim to promote diversity as an imperative versus an option by focusing our goals on:
Our Patients
The training programs reflect the populations served, and their experiences related to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, race, spirituality, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
Our Trainees
The training programs are designed to enhance and support all trainees and provide a safe space for them to reflect on their experiences without judgment or shame.
Our Community
The training programs foster and sustain connections with underserved communities through active and reciprocal partnerships.
Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Officers
As Liaisons of the Mental Health Training Program, we work towards increasing awareness of our Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity vision. Our efforts include but are not limited to recruitment and outreach at various local and national conferences, EID Forums, Mentorship, coordination of support to our local sites regarding consultation, providing a safe space for trainees to voice concerns, participating in health fairs and more.
To ensure we receive direct input from our trainees on Equity Inclusion and Diversity initiatives, please reach out with any questions.
It is important to us that your voice is heard.
