Part 1: Program Development and Support

Creating and developing equitable programs start here.

Service-based organizations and agencies are set up to support the community in meeting a need. Rebellious Root took a deep dive to explore what programs within the participating organizations are creating spaces that go beyond just meeting the need, and instead creating innovative and community-centered spaces.

The COVID-19 pandemic made us adapt rather quickly to a new way of being and created an opportunity for expansiveness on how organizations serve the community. Through this process, it was clear that there could no longer be programming as usual and instead, programs should be created with a lens towards equity and identity.

Rebellious Root offered a frame that places programs in three categories to support the expansiveness and needs of community during this time and beyond:

Programs that center choice
Programs that center identity
Programs that center equity

We had each organization place their programs on a scale and began to imagine collectively what we needed to create equitable programming across our organizations.

Before you begin, planning new programs, it’s important to consider your existing program processes and how you can use that information and data to create programs that are informed by feedback.

We use Retrospectives as a tool to reflect on our programmatic processes and delivery. You should include individuals who have a stake in the programs as well as program participants, to gain a full panoramic view of all areas that may need improvement or that need to remain the same.

Below are instructions on how to facilitate your own Retrospective with your team:

Suggestions on who to include:

Those who manage the budget throughout the program if different from the program staff
Program staff
Program facilitators
Participants who participated in programs

What you need:

Post its
Pens
Timer

Retrospective Activity:

Pass out a stack of posts it’s and a pen to each participant
Set your timer for 3 minutes for each question and share one question at a time
Ask the first question:
- What worked during our program?
When time is up move to your second question and set your timer for 3 minutes:
- What did not work during our program?
When time is up move to your last question and set your timer for 3 minutes:
- What do you wish to do differently next time?
Each person should share out, what they wrote one question at a time and then proceed to the next question
After each question, you should share similarities and differences based on what everyone noticed and assess what things you’d like to carry to your new program process and what you would like to leave behind

Programs that center choice focus on how involved the community is in the process to decide, and/or evaluate the programs as they are.

Some examples of programs that organizations are running right now that center choice:

Drop-in spaces that are facilitated to meet folks where they are at
Health navigation that supports clients in their own health goals and desired experiences

In Action: Centering choice in programs right now (how can I use this tool right now?):

Ask for feedback forms to receive insight on what worked, what did not work and what could be done better next time
Generate community-led and driven processes

Program scheduling
Interactive program selection process
Participatory budgeting
Focus groups

Programs that center identity focus on acknowledging, making space for, and providing resources so that the community can show up as they are, without having to dismiss or hide any parts of themselves.

Some examples of programs that organizations are running right now that center identity:

Gender-affirming counseling and services
LGBTQIA+ BIPOC-only spaces that center wellness and care
Free name change assistance
Written materials in multiple languages

In Action: Bringing identity into your programs right now (how can I use this tool right now?):

Cultivate gender-affirming spaces
Review and abolish dress code policies
Create intake forms that are inclusive and expansive
Hire and retain staff who reflect the community
Display art that is reflective of the community and the messages that are important to them; pay artists for their work
Prioritize access to services such as interpretation, translation, closed captioning, audio descriptions etc.
Honor multiple styles of learning and create different methods to share information

Programs that center equity focus on centering those who are most marginalized and provide resources to meet their needs so that they are able to participate fully.

Some examples of programs that organizations are running right now that center equity:

Asking for accessibility needs in advance and following through
Transparent pay scales or payment equity across the board

In Action: Bringing identity into your programs right now (how can I use this tool right now?):

Create a workplace equity committee that guides and shapes programming and practices and has an open and inclusive process that is open to anyone who wants to join
Hire and cultivate the leadership of previous program participants, creating a pipeline of leadership for your program, uplifting the leadership of people with lived experience
Fund scholarships/fee waivers for paid programming and ongoing emergency relief programming which includes resources that can be accessed rapidly
Offer meals during meetings and gatherings
Provide avenues for accessible transportation – metrocards, bus passes, etc.
Secure funding to pay presenters, leaders, young people, community, etc., for their time, labor, and intellectual knowledge sharing
(Re)design your Space

Provide chairs that do not have handles to be mindful of all bodies
Ensure that spaces are wheelchair accessible
Create a designated place to pray
Create a designated place to breastfeed
Ensure access to gender-neutral bathrooms
Choose spaces with adequate lighting, sound systems

Imagine you’re convening a new group of people or recommitting to an equity space; mindsets (along with community agreements) are a powerful opening tool to:

Before	Beginning	Midway	End	Throughout
Before the program cycle begins	At the beginning of the program cycle	Midway through the program cycle	At the end of the program cycle	Throughout the program cycle

Timeline	Activity
Before	STRATEGIC PLAN CLARITY & DIRECTION Identify key work areas in your organizational strategic plan and where and how YOUR work fits in Parallel to this process you can conduct a Retrospective (see above for instructions on how to facilitate) from the previous program year to assess what worked and what you would like to implement for this year
Before	BUDGET & FUNDING Create a budget that is transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of your participants If your program involves participants doing work that will be used for the organization and/or beyond consider providing stipends for their labor that have clear dates on distribution and requirements If this program is funded through specific grant(s) and has specific metrics be sure to ask what those metrics are, how often they need to be reported, and what is needed throughout the program cycle to ensure metrics are met and if information is needed from participants, the process to gather information from them doesn’t feel extractive and transactional. Inform participants ahead of time if there will be site visits throughout your program cycle and if you need information from them at any point during the program that will be reported to the grantor(s)
Before	PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT – BIG PICTURE Using insights from your previous program assessment, create a curriculum that leaves space for participation, questions, and flexibility to adjust if needed remember to include things like: • Welcome & Introductions to each other and the program • Breaks after large amounts of content • Intentional space for questions • Processing space with different learning modalities for all types of learners • Closing with clear next steps and follow-up items Create handouts for information that will be helpful for participants to reflect on post-session and key takeaways • If online: create a folder, with clear labeling and dates where participants can find the needed information and how to contact program staff if they are having trouble accessing it • If in-person: create a folder in the space for printed handouts and resources and refer to it regularly to remind participants that it is there and that they can also share resources there as well Create and share clear expectations for participants as well as what they can expect from you and program staff including space/platform/format for where and how they can leave feedback through the program. Build in time to review this feedback and implement changes as needed.
Beginning	IDENTIFYING PROGRAMMATIC SUCCESS Determine what and how you will measure the success of your program and why these elements matter to you. • Experience of program • Trust built with the community • New or expanded partnerships • Retention rate • Add your own!
Beginning	PROGRAM PREP – THE DETAILS If your program is in person: Acquire materials to make your space feel welcoming, open, and safe and that reflect your participant’s well-being. Create clear signage (if possible) for easy access to the location or send instructions ahead of time. Overall ensure that your space feels right for the work that you will be doing in it. If your program is online: Be sure to have clarity on how your online platform works, the functions that can foster participation and smooth interactions. Ensure that the platform is friendly to computers as well as phones and if you are introducing new online tools, create a step-by-step guide on its functions and what it will be used for to share before the session and while online. Send calendar invites with link and contact information if someone needs support getting in. For both: • Share the agenda ahead of time so participants will feel prepared to interact with the curriculum materials/content. • Send reminders to participants about sessions to ensure ease • Share a recap with resources and materials, offer gratitude
Midway	MIDWAY ASSESSMENT Midway through the program cycle check in on things like: • Participant feedback forms • Program budget • Grant metric requirements (if applicable) • Review the curriculum to determine what has been completed, what is ahead, and what needs to be shifted • Possible spaces for collaboration with other staff or organizations
End	CLOSING & CELEBRATION Create a space to celebrate the ending of your program with participants and others. This can be used as an opportunity to gain further insight on what were key activities or information that supported participants in their learning and growth and take note of them to bring to the next program cycle.
Throughout	DOCUMENTATION Collect, label, organize, and store all the artifacts that supported in making the program(s) possible. These can be application forms, physical items, contacts, worksheets, resources, links, etc. Ensure that you allot time to detail the process of your program cycle and how it works to ensure that there is institutional knowledge for all the elements of your program that can be passed on and replicated (if applicable).
Throughout	RETROSPECTIVE Reflect with participants and other stakeholders for the program on what worked, what didn’t work, and what you would change for next time. Use this information to inform your upcoming program(s).

Part 1: Program Development and Support

Creating and developing equitable programs start here.

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