Diversity

NHSDC believes that anyone who uses data to impact policy, improve human services and drive systems change benefits from diverse perspectives. We define diversity as representative of races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, gender, gender identity, immigration status, national origin, and lived experiences. We commit to diversity in speakers, panels, and plenaries, and will dedicate resources to ensure access and inclusion to NHSDC conferences and other programming. Further, we commit to the development of a board of directors that represents the diversity of the field and its consumers.

Equity

NHDSC believes that human services data is a key tool in examining the outcomes of programs and services across multiple identities and populations. We define equity as ensuring both our programming and organization provide equal opportunity for participation across individual identities. We strive to identify and remove bias from data collection and analysis. NHSDC commits to ensuring that all data work and presentations showcased at our conferences will include content reflective of the influence that race plays on findings and results. NHSDC commits to an equitable recruitment and retainment process for members of our board.

Inclusion

NHSDC believes in fostering a culture where every member or participant feels valued, supported, and inspired to achieve individual and common goals. We define an inclusive organization as one that respects everyone, values differences, and acknowledges the impact of differences on individuals and groups.  The sector benefits from those differences by drawing on the intellectual strength that produces innovative solutions from the synergy of our people. NHSDC commits to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness.  We are able to grow and learn better together with a diverse membership to aid in the success of human services across our country.  NHSDC  is committed to creating a diverse environment on and offline for our membership community, board, consultants, and staff.

Systemic and Institutional Racism

NHSDC strongly supports the use of data to affect and change policies that have long supported the propagation of systemic, institutional, and structural racism. Populations experiencing or at risk of homelessness are disproportionately Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and suffer from the oppression and racism by the institutions that serve them. These range from policing, corrections, and health care to housing and homeless services. Our goal is to provide a platform where anyone who uses data in human services has an opportunity to demonstrate how data is being used to dismantle racism within these systems, as well as recognize the intersections of race and other identities that face discrimination. We will prominently feature presentations and examples in our conference settings. As a board, we commit to taking a stand against policies and practices that further bigotry, racism, and othering in organizations that use human services data.