Updates from LLN
Don't miss Friday: Latinos share experiences with disabilities and how to be an advocate
Rene Morales lives with a terrible pain that he describes as like having an electrical storm raging through his head. “Each time the pain returns, I am affected differently; the pain is either more intense or affects a different part of my face.”
About two years ago Morales was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, a disorder that hits him with some of the worst pain a human can endure.
Morales will be among the guest speakers on Friday for an eye-opening discussion on the challenges faced by people living with a disability. The Latino Leadership Network is teaming up with the Disability Inclusion Network, a business resource group (BRG) for state government employees, to help us better understand disabilities, how prevalent they are, and to learn how we can be better advocates for them in our jobs.
Coordinated by Latino Leadership Network’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEI), panelists for the online Zoom session will also include:
Joslyn Nelson, chair of the Disability Inclusion Network. Nelson will discuss how disabilities have impacted Latino communities and provide steps on how we can move forward together as a community.
Flora Estrada, DEI Innovations Manager at the Office of Financial Management. She will share her experience helping loved ones advocate for appropriate care with their disabilities.
You do not need to preregister to participate. Use this link when it's time to join the session noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, February 26.
Inslee signs executive order affirming diversity, equity, and inclusion
On Feb. 18, 2021, Dr. Karen Johnson was announced as the first director of the new Office of Equity. Staffing the Office of Equity was a vital component of the governor's equity proposal and will help state agencies identify and respond to equity gaps in order to reduce disparities.
The governor has also issued an executive order to affirm support for Washington state business resource groups. This is a huge step forward for diversity, equity, and inclusion for state government.
This action gives state workers from historically marginalized groups more voice and influence. Reach out to LLN if you are interested in getting more involved in our business resource group.
Save the date for our March event: Decolonizing self-care for Latinos
Western medicine is often praised for its modern approach to healing, but it’s an industry that has failed to be equitable in care delivery and recognize the life experiences of people of color.
On Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 11 a.m. to noon, we will offer a webinar that will show you how to implement self-care strategies that are not rooted solely in Western and Euro-centric models (decolonizing). Whether you have lived with microaggression or survived life-threatening events, we'll discuss wellness with a trauma-informed care perspective. The event is co-sponsored by the state Commission on Hispanic Affairs and with other state business resource groups to offer the webinar: Decolonizing Self-Care for the Hispanic/Latinx Community.
The webinar will be led by Ariadna Acosta, a bilingual mental health specialist with experience in social psychology, human rights, and gender studies. Currently Acosta works as a Behavioral Health Equity Specialist for the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health at the University of Texas in Austin.
You do not need to be Latino to participate. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn about this topic. State employees can earn Smart Health points by participating.
You do not need to preregister. Use this link to join the webinar on March 10 at 11 a.m.