Restorative Practices and Healing
The big question / How might we...?
How might the Department of County Human Services (DCHS) create tools for restorative practices to address acts of harm experienced by systematically excluded employees and create pathways to healing our relationships?
Type (project or consultation):
Project
When:
Early spring 2022
Process/what we did:
Multnomah County has investigative and disciplinary processes to deal with violations of its microaggression-related policies. Often, harm occurs that does not rise to the level of a formal violation of the law or rule, but is a violation of the values and working agreements of DCHS. The MIL used an exploratory process to identify and practice responses to violations of DCHS values and working agreements.
During the Design Sprint, the team identified challenges and insights, and co-created solutions that center the lived expertise of those experiencing the harm.
Outcome/Impact:
The MIL Design team came up with an informal conflict resolution and restorative practice solutions to test and iterate with an understanding of historical and structural systems. Our recommendations, as presented to and affirmed by the DCHS Leadership Team are in three areas:
- Intervention Practices: Focuses on offering a plan to respond to acts of harm. Some ideas include tools that prompt or support resolution such as mediation, peer support and language to help with interruption/stand up/take responsibility.
- Relationship and Culture: Focuses on creating a culture and environment in which acts of harm are addressed. Some ideas include promoting authentic connections and community building.
- Skills Building: Focuses on developing the ability to respond to acts of harm. Some ideas include training & tools that help to welcome all feelings, systemic spaces to practice, and examination of professionalism.
Implementation of the recommendations is being led by the DCHS Equity Manager.
