Our training model is focused on leveling the playing field for adults who have been underrepresented or marginalized. But in the wake of a national reckoning with systemic racism, we realized that we needed to do more to ensure that all our collaborations and employer partnerships in the city respect this ideal to both address and break the barriers that keep people from moving forward in their lives. As an organization, we want to lead by example. Therefore we:
NECAT embraced the need for a diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) review, and embarked on a process to assure our mission, services, culture and governance reflect this. In 2022, we hired a DEI Consultant to assess our environment and ensure that our team is self-aware, strong and able to guide our students and program through an equity lens that is honored by the entire team.
We often describe NECAT’s program as iterative, as we have the unique opportunity to make positive changes in our curriculum and policies with every new class. Such is the same for the team who is committed to rigorous self-review to ensure equity for everyone who is a part of organization.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.