- Department of Developmental Services
To My DDS Colleagues,
Over the past ten days, we have all witnessed an incredible outpouring of raw emotion as we try to come to terms with the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis. We have watched demonstrations across the country and in our own communities and we are dealing with our own feelings in response. All of us are feeling something - anger, sadness, fear, anxiety, frustration, paralysis. It is important for all of us to reflect upon those feelings and our emotions and deal with our desire to do something. Some of you have demonstrated, peacefully protested and some have used social media or joined groups to mobilize for change. However, many are struggling to make sense of a senseless act, struggling to do something.
Twenty-nine years ago, in response to the brutal beating of Rodney King by police officers in Los Angeles and the demonstrations that followed throughout the country, staff throughout DDS got together to talk. They talked about racism, inequities, inequalities, and biases within our workplace and in our lives. Out of those discussions, DDS staff resolved to do something. They determined that it was important as an agency, and on principle, to make a concerted effort to recruit young people of color in urban areas of our state for summer employment opportunities in human services. That desire to do something resulted in the Urban Youth Collaborative Program (UYCP). For the past twenty-nine years, we have recruited thousands of young people to work in DDS programs across the state. As a result of this program, DDS has become a more diverse agency and a stronger agency. Every day, diversity can be witnessed throughout DDS with our service recipients whose lives are enriched by the diverse workforce who supports them.
Once again, it is so important for us to talk about what is going on our country, to talk about how we are feeling, to talk about change, and to make change. Unfortunately, COVID-19 eliminated our ability to have many these important discussions in our workplace and face to face, but we are committed to finding ways to have those discussions, to exchange ideas, and to hear from you. Thank you for your dedication to the work, your dedication to the people we support, and your dedication to making things better.
Jane
