Lessons Learned: Reflecting on COVID-19 to Operationalize Equity in Communications

Lessons Learned: Reflecting on COVID-19 to Operationalize Equity in Communications

Utah PIO Annual Conference, September 29th, 2021

#OneUtah Message: Governor Spencer J. Cox

Rosie Nguyen ABC4 Utah (Moderator)

> Edwin Espinel Utah Department of Health

> Jenny Johnson Utah Department of Health

> Rossina Lake Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox’s Office

> Claudia Loayza Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs

Before We Start ● Stay engaged. ● Lean into discomfort. ● Make space for different lived experiences. ● Welcome curiosity. ● Disagree with the idea, not the person. ● Expect and accept non-closure

Learning Objectives 1. Share experiences of how equity, inclusion, and access have been centered throughout the COVID-19 experience and how to operationalize these efforts into the future.

2. Explore effective processes through the positioning of attainable goals.

3. Inspire communication professionals to go beyond “checking boxes” and recognize individual needs.

Establishing Shared Language DIVERSITY

EQUITY

The range of human interests, backgrounds, and experiences that can be engaged to achieve excellence, innovation, and healing across all sectors.

The creation of opportunities for historically underserved populations to have access to resources and opportunities that are capable of closing the achievement gaps in all areas of society.

JUSTICE

INCLUSION/BELONGING Enables individuals to feel safe, respected, engaged, and motivated for who they are and for their contributions toward the collective community.

ACCESS The degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available to as many people as possible.

DIVERSITY ASKS EQUITY RESPONDS “Who’s in the room?”

“Who is trying to get in the room but can’t? Whose presence in the room is under constant threat of erasure?”

01 JUSTICE

02

INCLUSION/BELONGING ASKS “Has everyone’s ideas been heard? Is this environment safe for everyone to feel like they belong?”

03

ACCESS RESPONDS “Is the environment set for everyone to fully participate, regardless or age, background or ability?”

04

QUESTION 1.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, what communications barriers were you anticipating that underrepresented communities would experience?

How can we better anticipate these barriers and unique needs?

Language Access: Edwin Espinel Spanish Public Information Officer, Utah Department of Health

QUESTION 2.

What are some processes that came about during COVID-19 in your work that you think need to be operationalized for future crises?

Language Access & Prioritization Matrix Considerations When Translating Materials: ● Length of Document/Material: What is the most important information to share? ● Topic Sensitivity and Need: Will this information equip communities to make informed decisions? ● Cost: How many people in your area need this resource? Can your budget align to this need?

Building Relationships: Kevin Nguyễn Community Health Worker Development, Utah Department of Health

QUESTION 3.

The area of communications is all about people.

How can we become more proximate to the communities who are more at risk of inequities and better understand their lived experiences?

QUESTION 4.

What does it mean to be an effective partner and ally to racially & ethnically diverse communities?

How can we tie this into our communications work?

Tailoring the Message: Shawn Begay Public Health Director, Utah Navajo Health System

QUESTION 5.

Equity work is a long road requiring patience and determination. We need a “movement” not a “moment”.

How can we remain motivated to embed equity into our organizations and professional mindsets for the long term?

Q&A Session (Raise your hand if you’d like to ask a question)

Where to Start: Leading Crisis Communications with Equity Essential steps to consider when communicating with underrepresented communities and address emerging needs at the onset of a crisis. The goal is to be proactive rather than reactive.

A diverse skills base allows an organization to offer a broader and more adaptable range of services.

1

Mobilize: Verify that the message is informed and supported by key community voices.

2

Monetize: Allocate a budget that will serve underrepresented communities at a representative and equity-informed level.

3

Translate: Determine key languages to translate into based on incidence/prevalence data and identify resonating messages.

4

Disseminate: Share information through a variety of channels and forms based on geographic need, informed by inequities.

5

Stay Connected: Follow up with community members to ensure information disseminated was received.

Thank You!