Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Humility

MHA Westchester’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Humility

MHA is an organization that is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Cultural Humility, as well as promoting equity in mental health services and advancing an anti-racist agenda. MHA invites diverse perspectives by respecting individuals, and is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for clients, staff and stakeholders. We build services and systems that accept individuals for who they are and work to dismantle oppressive systems that stigmatize mental health, while also recognizing the trauma caused by racial injustice.

In recognition of these diverse talents, cultural perspectives, and experiences of our employees, people supported through our various services and community, and the inherent value that a diverse workforce brings to our organization, MHA Westchester commits to actively fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment that seeks to inspire strength-based therapy/recovery, drive innovation, encourages empathy, and promotes psychological safety, and success among all of our employees and people receiving services.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, MHA Westchester will honor an individual’s experiences, perspectives, differences and unique identity while striving to ensure that all individuals feel respected, are treated equitably and with empathy, and are afforded an appropriate and healthy work-life balance that allows them to excel. MHA Westchester is committed to providing all employees with the tools and resources necessary to advance competencies in support of this culture.

MHA of Westchester is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to antiracism, cultural competency, diversity, equity, inclusion and humility, and values the ways in which we are different. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or other characteristic protected by the applicable law.

MHA of Westchester will not discriminate or retaliate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizen status, or other characteristic protected by the applicable law in all employment decisions including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotions, job assignments/reassignments, transfers, training, benefits, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, layoff, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.

MHA has implemented a committed program designed to be innovative, meaningful, insightful, respectful, impactful and authentic. At MHA, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Humility is recognizing, respecting, appreciating and, authentically valuing differences while fostering a fair environment with access to opportunities, that is inviting, inclusive and open to continuous learning and improvement. These principals will guide the work of our DEIH program. To ensure that these principals are embedded in all aspects throughout the agency, MHA has developed a Cultural Competence and Humility Committee (CCHC). The Committee will be aligned with MHA’s mission, values, vision and agency strategic plan as the work of DEIH is developed and carried out. The Cultural Competence and Humility Committee (CCHC) will have a mission-critical role of ensuring that the work of diversity, equity, inclusion and humility are, and remain, at the center of the work we do within MHA as an agency, side-by-side with the delivery of high-quality services. The CCHC will serve as the collective champion of MHA’s diversity, equity and inclusion program. The Committee will support staff development around issues of equity, inclusion, culturally responsive practices, and addressing the impact of implicit and explicit cultural bias.

Resources

BIPOC Reources:
Historical and generational racial trauma can have a heavy impact on an individuals' wellbeing. As mental health providers, we remain committed to promoting equity and justice in mental health care.

LGBTQ Resources:

Our Staff

My name is Jaclyn "Jackie" McKenna and I am the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Humility at The Mental Health Association of Westchester. I am a graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a BA in Sociology and later received a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. I've been an advocate for human rights all my life and continue to strive to learn and better myself, so I can effectively enact change in my community and world around me.