Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Hazelden Betty Ford

The imperative

As the country struggles to dismantle systemic inequities and racism, Hazelden Betty Ford stands with people of color and all who are working to achieve change, including our friends and partners providing hope and healing in the heart of our most diverse communities. We are committed to listening, learning and helping more—and engaging in the important work that lies ahead.

Our collective ability to meet the challenges of today and thrive in the future is directly connected to having a diverse workforce, an inclusive culture, a strong presence in diverse communities, and the provision of culturally responsive care. To that end, in early 2019, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation embarked on a strategic and sustainable journey for change in procedures, decision-making processes and the allocation of resources.

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Vision Statement

We are an inclusive organization that honors, serves and advocates for people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, reflecting and embracing differences.

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Definitions

Diversity embraces our individual differences across all facets of life and lived experience.

Equity establishes and ensures accountability to policies and practices that give access, opportunity and advancement, while striving to identify and eliminate systemic barriers that prevent the full participation of individuals and communities that have been marginalized and underrepresented.

Inclusion intentionally fosters an environment so any individual or group is and feels welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

What we are doing to affect long-term, sustainable change

While the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation has many areas of strength, our seven-decades-old organization has much work to do to truly serve all who are affected by substance use disorder and to eliminate disparities in access to treatment.

The following focus areas and goals will guide our transformation to meet the challenges of today and the days ahead.

Inclusive Culture

Build a culturally competent organization
Develop an infrastructure that creates and reinforces an inclusive culture
Ensure fair and equitable treatment of everyone

Diverse Workforce

Increase the diversity of our workforce at all levels
Recruit and retain employees from underrepresented populations

Patients, Families and Students

Increase the diverse customer, patient, family and student populations that we reach and serve
Increase staff and student clinical cultural responsiveness

Community

Improve and broaden access to underrepresented communities
Establish and consistently utilize a framework for employees to provide feedback on community outreach efforts and impact
Drive acquisition and partnership with other health care organizations focused on improving access to quality care and resources for marginalized and underrepresented individuals and communities

If you have questions about diversity, equity and inclusion at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, please reach out to us at DEI@HazeldenBettyFord.org.

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is comprised of 20 employees who reflect diversity in position, age, tenure, geographic location, gender identity, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity. They have each committed to a minimum three-year term, and each has a role on at least one focus area subcommittee (listed below).

The DEI committee is chaired by two motivated, passionate leaders:

Ahmed Eid, MA, LADC

National Director of COR-12^® Program and Director of Hazelden Betty Ford in Naples, Florida
DEI Committee Co-Chair

"Without diversity we limit ourselves to a narrow and rigid frame¬work that inhibits our ability to create, innovate and subsequently grow, and I believe that we have a moral obligation to be equitable and fair, which is consistent with my values and what I believe is right."

Jessica Haney, MA, CADC I

Addiction Program Manager | Newberg, Oregon
DEI Committee Co-Chair

"The future of this institute and the healing we do in the community heavily rely on our ability to heal our organization. This can only be done through equality, justice and solidarity, which is the very essence that DEI is capable of."