Welcome to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) Resource Page.  

Posted resources are an attempt to represent the perspectives regarding the situation, but are not exhaustive and do not necessarily indicate endorsement. Exploration of other resources is encouraged and we welcome feedback regarding posted resources and others you think should be included. Resources are considered with care by members of the SSW community before posting (including the Training and Resources subcommittee of the DEIC) and all that are submitted may not be posted. 

This page serves as a platform to provide information that educates and deepens conversation. Belonging is a value we seek to foster within our SSW community. Humility and care in digesting resources is required for different viewpoints to coexist. We ask that you assume good intent and inform us of any concerns.

Anti-DEI Effort Tracking

With the rise in Anti-DEI legislation across the country, we are tracking efforts to limit full inclusion of folks based on their identities. We also seek to highlight efforts to fight policies of exclusion.

Anti-Racism

Racism is a form of oppression constantly operating in today's society... it must continually be named, analyzed, and dismantled through conscious resistance. The resources below are offered to encourage your continued reflection in order to actively participate in interrupting the systems of domination and exclusion (within ourselves and the world).

Read
Watch

Netflix

  • 13th (Ava DuVernay)
  • American Son (Kenny Leon)
  • Dear White People (Justin Simien)
  • See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol)
  • Selma (Ava DuVernay)
  • When They See Us (Ava DuVernay)

Hulu

  • Blindspotting (Carlos López Estrada)
    via Cinemax
  • If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins)
  • The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.)
    via Cinemax

HBO

  • King In The Wilderness
  • True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s FIght for Equality*
Act
Teach

Articles

Books

Heal

Free emotional well being resources

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org 
  • Mindfulness Resources, The Center for Mindful Living: mindfullivingla.org  
  • Guided Meditations in English & Spanish: uclahealth.org/marc/mindful-meditations 
  • Breathing and Mindfulness Phone Apps: Breathe, Calm, Headspace.
  • Online Yoga, All Levels: doyogawithme.com
  • Crisis Text Line: free 24/7 text-based crisis intervention: text HOME to 741741 https://www.crisistextline.org/ 

Mindfulness & Guided Meditation

  • AfroFlow Yoga: https://www.afroflowyoga.com/ 
  • The Center for Mindful Living- inspiring videos, free mindfulness teachings, and guided meditation: mindfullivingla.org
  • Meditations led by Tara Brach, PhD- Guided meditations in various categories, such as basic meditations, heart meditations, open awareness, difficult times, and a guided meditation for times of pandemic: tarabrach/guided-meditations/
  • UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center- free guided meditations in English & in Spanish: uclahealth.org/marc/mindful-meditations
  • UCSD Center for Mindfulness- mindfulness videos, mindful poetry, guided audio & video mindfulness practice: medschool.ucsd.edu/som/fmph/research/mindfulness/mindfulness-resources/Pages/default.aspx  
  • Bilingual Center for Mindfulness- Spanish language information of mindfulness and guided meditations: bilingualmindfulness.com/es/
  • Mindful Heart Center- Japanese speaking mindfulness community resources: mindfulheartcenter.com/meditation 

Israeli-Palestinian Resources

The resources below are meant to explore the current events in Israel and Palestine with an emphasis on providing support to all of those negatively impacted by violence and war while seeking justice.

Resources for Those Impacted by Violence in Israel and Palestine

Jewish Community Center 

The Parent's Circle

Chabbad Baltimore 

TIKKUN (umaryland.edu) 

Baltimore Palestine Solidarity (wordpress.com) 

Resources — US Palestinian Council 

Arab-American Family Support Center | Home - Arab-American Family Support Center (aafscny.org) 

Helpline Resources 

  •           SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline– call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.
  •           Military OneSource– call 1-800-342-9647 for eligible DOD service members and their families.
  •           Veterans Crisis Line– call 1-800-273-8255, press “1” or text 838255 for all service members.
  •           PTSD Consultation Program – for providers who treat Veterans. Ask a question by calling 866-948-7880 or emailing PTSDconsult@va.gov.

Employee Assistance Program

Intercultural Center 

Student Counseling Center

Student Services

Resources for Parents & Kids

Pay for Resources
  • The Conscious Kid: is creating Parenting and Education Resources through a Critical Race Lens. Our goal with Patreon is to create a small, intimate community where we can get to know each other better, create space for in-depth, personal discussions, and respond to specific questions and concerns you have as you navigate intersections of race, equity, parenting, and education.
  • The POC Families’ Guide For Talking About Racism: We created The White Families' Guide for Racism: How Can We Grow to Be Anti-Racist and heard from non-Black families of color that realized the need for a guide like this for their families. Black, Indigenous, and other people of color also face discrimination and racism. We recognize that. This book is focused around equipping your children to understand that as well as the racism that affects the Black community.
  • A White Families’ Guide for Talking About Racism: White families, if you’re here, we hope it’s because you’re ready to start having important conversations with your children about racism and actively planning what your family can do to help.
  • Little Justice Leaders Subscription Box: When you sign up for Little Justice Leaders, each month you will receive a box of carefully selected resources to help your child or your students learn about a social justice issue. We use arts and crafts, projects, books, and other activities to help your child or students understand complex issues. This box is made specifically for kids in grades K-5, so the content is fun, educational, and age-appropriate. Talking about social justice issues can be hard. We want to make it easier. With conversation starters, activities, and other goodies, you can make these tough conversations fun and interesting for your young child or students.
Books for Parents to Read
  • Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad
  • How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
  • So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  • White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
  • Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
  • An Anti-Racist Reading List Compiled by Ibram X. Kendi
Books for Children
  • List of Books about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Black Authors
  • List of Books Celebrating Black Boys
  • Books about Race, Racism, & the Resistance
  • Anti-Racist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
  • Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
    • Something Happened in Our Town follows two families — one white, one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children’s questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives. Includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing race and racism with children, child-friendly definitions, and sample dialogues. Ages 4–8.
  • Let's Talk about Race by Julius Lester (Author) Karen Barbour (Illustrator)
    • In this acclaimed book, the author of the Newbery Honor Book To Be a Slave shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. A strong choice for sharing at home or in the classroom. "This stunning picture book introduces race as just one of many chapters in a person's story" (School Library Journal). "Lester's poignant picture book helps children learn, grow, discuss, and begin to create a future that resolves differences" (Children's Literature).
  • The Other Side Jacqueline Woodson (Author) E. B. Lewis (Illustrator)
    • Clover's mom says it isn't safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up a friendship, and get around the grown-ups' rules by sitting on top of the fence together.
  • Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins by Carole Boston Weatherford (Author) Jerome Lagarrigue Lagarrigue (Illustrator)
    • There were signs all throughout town telling eight-year-old Connie where she could and could not go. But when Connie sees four young men take a stand for equal rights at a Woolworthas lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, she realizes that things may soon change. This event sparks a movement throughout her town and region. And while Connie is too young to march or give a speech, she helps her brother and sister make signs for the cause. Changes are coming to Connieas town, but Connie just wants to sit at the lunch counter and eat a banana split like everyone else.
  • These Hands by Margaret H Mason (Author) Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)
    • Joseph's grandpa could do almost anything with his hands. He could play the piano, throw a curveball, and tie a triple bowline knot in three seconds flat. But in the 1950s and 60s, he could not bake bread at the Wonder Bread factory. Factory bosses said white people would not want to eat bread touched by the hands of the African Americans who worked there.In this powerful intergenerational story, Joseph learns that people joined their hands together to fight discrimination so that one day, their hands--Joseph's hands--could do anything at all in this whole wide world.
  • Say Something by Peggy Moss (Author) Lea Lyon (Illustrator)
    • The girl in this story sees it happening, but she would never do these mean things herself. Then one day something happens that shows her that being a silent bystander isn't enough. Will she take some steps on her own to help another kid? Could it be as simple as sitting on the bus with the girl no one has befriended (and discovering that she has a great sense of humor)? Resources at the end of the book will help parents and children talk about teasing and bullying and find ways to stop it at school. One child at a time can help change a school.
  • Say Something! By Peter H. Reynolds (Author)
    • In this empowering new picture book, beloved author Peter H. Reynolds explores the many ways that a single voice can make a difference. Each of us, each and every day, have the chance to say something: with our actions, our words, and our voices. Perfect for kid activists everywhere, this timely story reminds readers of the undeniable importance and power of their voice. There are so many ways to tell the world who you are... what you are thinking... and what you believe. And how you'll make it better. The time is now: SAY SOMETHING!
Books for Middle Schoolers

This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work

  • “Gain a deeper understanding of your anti-racist self as you progress through 20 chapters that spark introspection, reveal the origins of racism that we are still experiencing, and give you the courage and power to undo it. Each chapter builds on the previous one as you learn more about yourself and racial oppression. 20 activities get you thinking and help you grow with the knowledge. All you need is a pen and paper.”
Books for High Schoolers
  • Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds

Faculty and Staff Resources

Student Resources

Licensing Disparities Background and Overview

In August 2023 the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the organization responsible for creating and administering the National Social Work licensing exam, released disaggregated exam pass rates. Across MSW programs, these descriptive data showed disparities in pass rates based on race, age, and primary language. Systemic biases in the exam have undoubtedly contributed to these disparities and must be addressed and remediated. We are committed to identifying and working toward an equitable path to licensure for all MSW students. The resources listed here provide a timeline of what has taken place since August 2023 to understand and remedy this injustice that so personally impacts our school and great community.  

Resources

  1. Timeline 
  2. ASWB data detailing pass rate disparities
  3. SSW Task force with recommendations
  4. Senate Bill 0871
  5. SSW DEIC Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee
    • Ongoing work of monitoring, advocating, and advising the SSW has been restructured under the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee, co-chaired by Dawn Shafer and Adam Schneider. This subcommittee works collaboratively with the SSW Policy Advocacy Committee which is largely comprised of MSW students and facilitated by macro faculty.
  6. Other responses from the Social Work Community

LMSW EXAM PASSRATE DISPARITIES TIMELINE

August 2022
  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) releases data on pass rate disparities based on race, age, and first-language
  • National conversations begin about how to address inequities, including at UMSSW
September 2022

National Deans and Directors convenes working group with SSW leaders

October 2022

UMSSW Convenes task force

December 2022

SSW enhances LMSW exam study preparation and hires a well-respected Black business owner to provide services to all MSW students

January 2023

UMSSW Taskforce report provided to Dean Postmus

March 2023

Bills SB0871 and SB0145 are introduced to Maryland Senate March 30: Hearing

April 2023

SB0871 passes the senate with major revisions. Most significant aspect was the formation of a legislative task force to further examine the causes and potential remedies of pass rate disparities

Summer 2023

Task force is formed via the Maryland General Assembly. First meeting scheduled for October 2023

September 2023

Work of monitoring, advocating, and advising UMSSW is restructured within the Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

October 2023

LMSW exam licensure preparation materials made available to all MSW students (and alumni as requested) via Advanced Social Work Solutions

Ongoing

Continue to advocate for an equitable path to licensure by:

  1. Implementing internal recommendations
  2. Advocating at the legislative level
  3. Collaborating across stakeholder group to increase our efficacy

Ready to be a Changemaker?