All kids deserve kind, safe, welcoming places to grow.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Children and families deserve culturally responsive care.

Our why: Kids and families

The crisis in children’s mental health is further magnified where kids have lived through trauma or face the reality of barriers to care or stigmas in acknowledging mental health.

For longer than a decade, more than 50% of Washburn Center clients have identified as BIPOC. This is more than the percentage of BIPOC children in our community’s overall population, which illustrates the disproportionate impact of racial inequities on mental well being.

History informs our work

In 1883, the founder of Washburn Center for Children envisioned providing hope to children, “without question or distinction to age, sex, race, color or religion.”

Today, our vision sets out to transform children’s mental health care while dismantling the systemic racism that interferes with equitable health outcomes.

Most systems — health care, insurance, educational and societal — have been established and continue to follow practices that don’t fully support the needs of communities of color. And, often those communities have experiences that make them hesitant to even try getting help.

Today, our work seeks to change that for every individual and community.

Representation matters

Research suggests that people who share similar cultural backgrounds with their therapist develop stronger therapeutic relationships and are more likely to complete therapy. Therapeutic outcomes improve significantly in when you stick with it.

Kids deserve diversity in the mental health workforce that serves them. We’re invested.

Pathways expands hope.