Connecting the Dots: Upstream Causes and Downstream Consequences of Disparities in Access to Early Support Services

“One of the things we consistently see in pediatrics is that children of color get less of everything.” 
– Katharine Zuckerman, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University.

In Washington and across the country, we see persistent racial disparities in access to early support services. White children are significantly more likely than BIPOC children to receive these vital supports, and the downstream consequences on health, well-being, and community inclusion are significant. Early support services sit at the nexus of health care, education, and other systems pervaded by systemic racism.

Organizations, like people, are shaped by these factors and need strong, proactive strategies to bring equity to life and disrupt the cycles of systemic harm. Individually, organizationally, and as a field, we all have a role to play in creating the conditions for equity, removing barriers to access, and improving the experiences BIPOC children and families have in early support services.

In this workshop, we’ll take a deep dive into the early support landscape to understand the environmental factors that contribute to racial disparities, the consequences for BIPOC babies and children, and the steps every organization, provider, and community member can take to co-create a more just future.