The Diversity & Inclusion Task Force (DITF) is a group of Counseling Services providers who are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. DITF was developed with the goal of reducing barriers and increasing accessibility to equitable and responsive care for individuals in historically and systematically excluded communities. We strive to empower and uplift the voices of people who experience exclusion, marginalization, and oppression. We are committed to advocacy and activism that furthers change within the intersecting systems of mental health, public health, and social justice.
Campus & Community Engagement:
The Diversity & Inclusion Task Force strives to foster systemic change that promotes equitable services for all Cal Poly students. The DITF continues to create new avenues for connection with staff members that work to support the wellbeing of historically and systematically excluded student communities. We value collaborating and connecting with our campus partners, as many students are referred to us based on their trusted recommendations. In addition, DITF aims to increase the visibility of our staff around campus, creating opportunities for students to interact with us in different ways.
As part of our ongoing initiatives to support our students, we are actively seeking avenues to expand collaboration among disciplines that impact student mental health, physical health, and wellbeing. We hope to involve all CAPS providers and increase the involvement of Campus Health & Wellbeing (CH&W) staff (i.e., medical staff, health advocates, peer educators, etc.) in the DITF mission.
Commitment to Cultural Humility:
The Diversity & Inclusion Task Force is also committed to continued development of our cultural humility, as humans and as therapists. We must engage in our own growth to better serve students from various backgrounds and intersecting identities. To that end, the DITF provides a variety of didactic, conversation, reflection, and training spaces every month to encourage staff to examine and challenge their own biases and gain understanding of systemic oppression that members of our community face.
Increased Representation:
DITF understands the importance of representation. In collaboration with the CAPS Leadership Team, we are committed to advocating for inclusive hiring practices including recruitment and engagement with clinicians who hold identities that have been historically and systematically excluded.
