Some Missouri Legislators want to completely eliminate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion training throughout the state. HB2619 would prohibit state funds from being used for anything supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training. As Episcopalians in the Diocese of Missouri, we are committed to anti-racism work and to respecting the dignity of every human being. In our own Diocese, we engage in the work of racial reconciliation and to offer opportunities for individuals and communities of faith to engage in the necessary work of acknowledging, naming, engaging, and dismantling systems of oppression born of chattel slavery within the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and our broader communities.
We are also aware of the real costs if this bill is passed, in terms of professional accreditation and federal and private funding. HB 2619 would jeopardize licensing and accreditation of programs within state departments and private health care entities. National bodies accrediting professional education programs for teachers, social workers, psychiatrists, nurses and other health professionals and many nonprofit child welfare organizations, health and mental health service providers and others with whom Missouri contracts to provide services are required through their national accrediting organizations to provide programming that incorporates diversity, equity and inclusion. In addition to risks to accreditation, failure to meet those standards could result in the loss of federal funding as well as private funding from foundations. The Health Forward Foundation has just issued a comprehensive report on the economic impact of anti-DEI bills in Missouri and Kansas: https://healthforward.org/
Please take action through Voter Voice here: Do Not Put Funding and Professional Accreditation at Risk! NO on HB 2619