BACKGROUND:
Pittsfield Charter Township is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within our organization and the public sector. The Township respects and values diverse life experiences and heritages and is dedicated to ensuring that all voices are valued and heard. In the current social justice environment, DEI has become an even more critical topic for the Township to build its knowledge base.
Human Resources has solicited and reviewed proposals for training on the topic of “Implicit Bias” as a next step to the Cultural Competency training it previously provided to employees. After careful review, Change Works Consulting’s proposal “Confronting Unintentional Bias” was selected. To allow for candid and nuanced conversations and learning across staff, it was determined that in-person training for non-DPS employees to be the preferred method for this important training. The training will be done in small groups of approximately 20 individuals per class to ensure appropriate physical distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Public Safety is providing separate “Implicit Bias” training that includes specific scenarios/opportunities for our first responders and the situations in which police officers and fire fighters are often involved. DPS training will be provided by Calibre Press, a public safety training company that aims to make first responders and the communities they serve, safer, smarter, and more successful. The cost of the DPS training is not included in this request.