When it comes to mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) have historically not received the same quality of health care as Whites.

Integral Care is committed to working toward racial equity. We aim to provide quality health care to everyone and create a space where our clients, team members and providers feel welcome.

• Cultivate a culturally adaptive, diverse workforce and provider network
• Use data to track progress and guide decision-making to advance equity
• Secure and allocate funding that boosts health equity
• Respond to feedback with transparent action and communication

In May 2021, Integral Care, directed by its Board of Trustees and the Staff Ad Hoc Committee on Racial Equity, released a Racial Equity Plan. Focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion, the plan was created from important conversations with our staff, and work with a national expert in the field of racial equity and cultural competency. The results of those efforts led to the inclusion of specific racial equity initiatives into our FY23-25 Strategic Plan.

In June 2022, Smith Research & Consulting LLC completed a Racial Equity Assessment of Integral Care. Areas of focus included policies and procedures, environment, workforce, and client access to services, which included language services. From the assessment, we learned that more had to be done to support our staff as well as offer more equitable service provision for clients of color.