EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
ADDRESSING GENDER IDENTITY BIAS IN OUR IT SYSTEMS
June is Pride Month, in which we celebrate and affirm the identities of LGBTQ+ in Washington and around the world. For the spring issue of HCS Highlights, we are examining how Home and Community Services is working with others in state government to address bias on the basis of gender identity. One of the primary goals of ALTSA’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work is to address the challenges Washingtonians encounter in trying to access our services. Many of our clients and prospective clients face significant hurdles when it comes to receiving needed medical and social services due to their gender identity. Some may not seek out services because they are afraid they will be mistreated or even experience violence due to their gender identity. Others may worry they won’t receive the care they need because case managers will not understand their needs or situation.
The Sex and Gender Identity (SGI) Workgroup was convened by the Health and Human Services Coalition which is a cross-agency governance structure with representation from DSHS, the Health Care Authority, the Washington Health Benefits Exchange, the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Representatives from all five agencies sit on the SGI workgroup which is tasked with addressing some of these barriers. Cathy Kinnaman, deputy director of headquarters operations, represents ALTSA on the workgroup. The committee was created in response to concerns that applicants and current service recipients were facing unnecessary barriers that, in many cases, resulted in their exclusion from government services. The committee’s formation followed a complaint the Health Benefit Exchange received from a prospective applicant, who was unable to complete an application for insurance benefits because the individual could not select a gender option to match their identity.
