Why is Equity Important?
“Equal opportunity is the bedrock of American democracy and our diversity is one of our country’s greatest strengths. But for too many, the American Dream remains out of reach. Entrenched disparities in our laws and public policies, public and private institutions, have often denied that equal opportunity to individuals and communities. Our nation faces converging economic, health and climate crises that have exposed and exacerbated existing inequities, while a historic movement for justice has highlighted the unbearable human costs of systemic racism. “
ACF Position on Equity
On the day of his inauguration, President Joseph R. Biden released “Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government” (EO 13985) which outlined his administration’s equity agenda. As President Biden stated: “The Federal Government’s goal in advancing equity is to provide everyone with the opportunity to reach their full potential. In his “Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce ” issued on June 25, 2021, the President reaffirmed that the United States is at its strongest when our Nation’s public servants reflect the full diversity of the American people.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is committed to advancing the economic and social well-being of children, individuals, families, and communities. Our mission is fully integrated with a wide range of issues that impact the ability of children and their families to thrive and reach their full potential. We recognize that the federal government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. ACF has made equity a central part of how we operate and deliver on our mission; developed a robust approach to advance equity across our programs and processes; and engaged parents, youth, and families to inform our strategy.
ACF’s Strategic Plan includes five strategic goals that together support the agency’s mission to promote the economic and social well-being of children, youth, families, individuals, and communities by providing federal leadership, partnership, and resources for the compassionate and effective delivery of human services. The primary goal to advance equity, by reducing structural barriers including racism and other forms of discrimination that prevent economic and social well-being, is intended to be an explicit part of each of the other four goals, since advancing equity must be central to everything we do and how we do it.
At ACF, our goal is clear. To build a more just and equitable nation with systems that treat everyone with fairness.
ACF Equity In Action Impacts: One Year Anniversary Accomplishments
ACF has seen remarkable efforts and growth across key areas since each ACF program office released an equity action statement in August 2022. ACF has released a video featuring ACF staff and an accompanying fact sheet that overview impactful equity activities program offices have developed to strengthen equity in their programs, policies, and processes. The activities featured in these resources are a small portion of ACF’s many first-year accomplishments, which include efforts to build staff capacity, expand access to services, and integrate lived experience into program development. With these activities concluded, ACF will continue to advance equity in innovative ways and take concrete steps to create a more equitable future for children and families.
View the video and fact sheet below.
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National Call to Action on Racial Equity February 2022
On February 3, 2022, ACF announced a National Call to Action through the release of the Equity in Action: Prioritizing and Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Information Memorandum. This Information Memorandum promotes racial equity as a critical factor to advance economic and social well-being of children, youth, families, individuals, and communities through the administration and delivery of human services. Learn about the overall Administration’s actions, significance of racial equity, and ways you can make an impact to advance equity.
Watch the National Call to Action
National Equity Convening 2023
On March 28-29, 2023, ACF hosted the first-of-its-kind, National Convening on Building an Inclusive Human Services System (NCBIHSS) solely devoted to creating an inclusive human services delivery system and serve as the nation’s leading educational event for practitioners, advocates, and researchers within the field. The presentations and break-out sessions were devoted to leading Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility efforts for populations identified in President Biden’s Executive Order 13895, including, persons of color, LGBTQIA+, rural communities persons with disabilities, and religious minorities.
