Racial Equity Statement

Introduction

D.A.R.E. America’s racial equity goal is to create a sense of belonging that is universally experienced throughout our organization and through the educational programs we deliver. Pursuit of justice in this arena benefits everyone by taking a critical eye to systems of oppression – systems that undercut fairness across multiple demographics, conditions, and experiences. By prioritizing attention to racial equity, everyone will benefit because racial injustice is the most pervasive and entrenched form of injustice permeating the institutions and systems that everyone must access.

The importance of racial equity

From the inception of our country, government at the local, regional, state and federal level, as well as private and public commercial institutions, has played a role in creating and maintaining racial inequity. Despite progress in addressing explicit discrimination, racial inequities continue to be deep, pervasive and persistent across the country. Non-profit organizations, particularly those involved in K-12 education, can and must implement policies and programs at multiple levels to drive larger systemic change.

D.A.R.E. America Racial Equity Statement

As the largest and most comprehensive prevention education program in the United States, D.A.R.E. America is committed to racial equity both internally through our work environment, and externally through our prevention education curricula and lessons for K-12 students. Specifically,

  • We are committed to ensuring that every policy we enact reflects democratic principles of equity and justice.
  • We understand that developing and implementing policies, procedures, and programs in a just and equitable manner considers critical issues of implicit bias and discrimination that requires concerted and purposeful action.
  • We believe that bringing together board members, management, staff, and other partners with differing backgrounds and life experiences will enhance our ability to deliver effective prevention education curricula and lessons for all.
  • Policies, programs, and activities will be administered to identify and avoid discrimination and barriers to access, and to avoid disproportionately high and adverse effects on communities of color.
  • Accountability to the agencies that implement D.A.R.E. programs is of central importance to us. We understand the significance of evaluating the impact of our programs and curricula over time and utilizing scientific evaluation processes to ensure not only efficacy, but also racial equity. Further, we are committed to the just and equitable allocation of resources.
  • We will obtain information, when relevant, appropriate, and feasible, in order to utilize data to evaluate the impact of our equity goals including:
    • Population served and/or affected by race, color, national origin, and income level,
    • Communities of color, racially and ethnically diverse individuals, tribal communities, immigrant and refugee communities, and communities that have principal languages other than English.
  • Building a race equity culture requires intention and effort. It is our hope and intent that this D.A.R.E. America Racial Equity Statement inspires greater collaboration in program and curricula development, strengthens public will and input, and promotes a strong commitment to advancing racial equity.

Copyright © 2022 D.A.R.E. America. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2022 D.A.R.E. America.
All Rights Reserved.