Kent Co. Dept. of Human Services completes diversity training

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — In response to employee concerns about racial awareness and sensitivity, approximately 400 employees at the Kent County Department of Human Services (DHS) completed cultural diversity training.

A six member team of Grand Valley State University School of Social Work faculty and staff contracted with DHS and UAW to facilitate consultation, training, meetings and on-going focus and discussion groups to fulfill tasks recommended by the State of Michigan DHS. Sessions were facilitated by trainers from Multi-Training Systems.

A two-day training for all Kent County DHS personnel began March 10 and was conducted during March, April and May, concluding with a leadership training for administrators and supervisors in June.

Media are encouraged to attend a “concluding event” scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the DHS Franklin St. site, located at 415 Franklin St. in Grand Rapids.

The Inclusion Council, a workgroup formed in accordance with the state DHS recommendations, will be introduced at the concluding event.

For more information, contact Lois Smith Owens at (616) 331-6550 or Grand Valley News and Information Services at (616) 331-2221.