Introduction: The Need for Change
In today's educational landscape, creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students is paramount. With the increasing awareness of systemic racism and its impacts, schools are seeking effective models to transform their organizational culture. The Sanctuary Model offers a comprehensive approach to building an anti-racist organizational culture by integrating trauma-informed care with cultural humility and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles.
Understanding the Sanctuary Model
The Sanctuary Model is an evidence-supported, trauma-informed organizational change model that emphasizes creating a safe and inclusive community. It focuses on the seven commitments: nonviolence, emotional intelligence, social learning, democracy, open communication, social responsibility, and growth and change. These commitments provide a framework for fostering a culture of safety and healing, addressing the impacts of trauma, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Implementing the Sanctuary Model in Schools
To effectively implement the Sanctuary Model in schools, practitioners must embrace cultural humility and recognize the unique needs of diverse communities. Here are key steps to consider:
- Commit to Cultural Humility: Engage in ongoing self-awareness and inquiry, and be open to learning from diverse perspectives.
- Foster Open Communication: Create safe spaces for students and staff to share their experiences and concerns, and ensure all voices are heard.
- Promote Social Learning: Encourage collaborative problem-solving and view mistakes as learning opportunities.
- Embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Implement policies and practices that support a diverse and inclusive environment, and address systemic inequities.
Case Study: The Methodist Home
The Methodist Home provides a compelling example of how the Sanctuary Model can be used to create an anti-racist organizational culture. By integrating the model's principles, the organization transformed its culture to support diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Core Team facilitated open dialogues and listening sessions, allowing staff to share their experiences and contribute to organizational change. This approach not only improved service delivery but also fostered a supportive and inclusive environment for all.
Encouraging Further Research and Implementation
Practitioners are encouraged to explore the Sanctuary Model further and consider its application in their own settings. By embracing trauma-informed care and cultural humility, schools can create environments that support healing, growth, and inclusion for all students and staff. For those interested in delving deeper into the research, the original study provides valuable insights and guidance.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Next Steps: Applying a Trauma-Informed Model to Create an Anti-Racist Organizational Culture.
