Monday, June 1, 2020
Dear Colleagues:
People are in pain.
People feel anguish.
In Illinois and across this country, pain and anguish are felt and inflicted unequally.
While opinions abound in our society - what remains as fact is what the data shows. Like injustice and violence, health inequities - as demonstrated by COVID 19 - have a stark and disparate impact on people of color.
We, the human services sector, are among the first to respond to heal, to comfort, to serve and support, and to protect. While we must continue to act, I encourage us to also think deeply about why we are so necessary and to be a part of systems change.
Our IDHS administration values equity, because we want to act, think deeply, and promote systems change so that all people have a chance for a healthy and happy life.
I hope you share our desire to learn about and to advance equity. Thank you for your service, for your resilience, and for the hope that you provide to people and communities.
Please remember there are resources and services available through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Personal Support Program (PSP) if you need someone to talk to during these times. You can also text "TALK" or "HABLAR" to our Call4Calm line at 55-2020 for emotional support.
Sincerely,
Grace
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, IDHS
