Walking the DEI Tightrope: Balancing Head Start Workforce Diversity Initiatives Without Tripping Over Potential Legal Risks

June 21, 2023

Access the on-demand webinar here


Increasingly, organizations are recognizing the utility of cultivating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. Countless studies have shown compelling evidence that companies who are committed to implementing DEI initiatives and embedding a DEI-conducive culture into the fabric of their workplace have reaped substantial benefits such as sustained increases in revenue, productivity, innovation, and employee loyalty. The Head Start program has always encouraged grantees to provide culturally sensitive services to the beneficiaries of the program. In recent years the Office of Head Start (OHS) has also set goals for programs to ensure leadership addresses inequities and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging among staff as well as the children and families served in the program.

However, even if a Head Start organization pursues its DEI interests with the best of intentions, the path to forging a diverse and inclusive workplace is rife with legal landmines. Recent court decisions and new state regulations have created an intricate labyrinth that is difficult to untangle and makes it difficult for organizations to craft and maintain their DEI initiatives. As a result of this murky legal landscape, employers have to proceed with great caution and fully understand that the risks, potential pitfalls, and implications of their diversity efforts may expose them to liability.

In this webinar, we will discuss the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the Head Start workplace. Additionally, we will explore the various legal considerations related to DEI in recruitment, hiring, promotion and workplace culture using real-world scenarios to show how DEI initiatives may run afoul of compliance obligations with applicable employment laws. And, we will also provide practical solutions to organizational challenges in furtherance of navigating liability, mitigating risk, uncovering unconscious bias, and furthering DEI objectives.

This program will consist of a substantive presentation followed by a question and answer period. To ensure that questions are answered, attendees are encouraged to submit their questions in advance of this webinar.


Please note: This webinar is offered as a complimentary product to all Head Start Training Package holders. For more information on our Head Start Training Package, click here or Contact Us.

 

Target Audience

  • Human Resources Managers and Staff
  • “C-Suite” Leadership: CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, COOs, and CCOs
  • Directors and Supervisors
  • Compliance Officers
  • Risk Managers
  • In-House Legal Counsel

Learning Objectives

After this webinar, you will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of implementing DEI initiatives, programs and training
  • Recognize legal blind spots in your organization’s DEI efforts
  • Grasp the anti-discrimination laws that may conflict with your organization's DEI initiatives
  • Understand how rigid quotas and set-asides can torpedo a DEI program
  • Craft and implement DEI initiatives without infringing on established anti-discrimination laws
  • Understand how an outside consultant or law firm can prevent potential biases in implementing your organization’s DEI initiatives as well as ensure that the appropriate methodology is utilized
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 Certificate of Attendance
Course opens: 
11/30/2022
Course expires: 
07/22/2023
Event starts: 
06/21/2023 - 1:00pm EDT
Event ends: 
06/21/2023 - 2:30pm EDT
Cost:
$175.00

Nicole Bacon

Nicole Bacon, a Partner at the firm, works in the firm’s Federal Grants, Litigation, and Health Law practice groups. Nicole offers her clients specialized guidance in compliance with federal grant law including specific programmatic requirements as well as the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements of Federal Awards. Nicole represents a variety of community-based organizations, before State and Federal courts as well as administrative bodies. [Full Bio]

H. Scott Johnson Jr.

As of September 2023, H. Scott Johnson is no longer with the firm.

H. Scott Johnson Jr. is Senior Counsel with the firm in the Employment Law, Government Contracts, Litigation, Federal Grants, and Health Care practice groups. Scott maintains an active practice advising business and institutional clients on employment matters, commercial agreements, government contracts, and risk management. In addition to his corporate practice, Scott is also well-regarded for his employment and complex civil litigation practice. His complex civil litigation experience includes representing businesses in a wide variety of contract disputes and business torts including tortious interference, breach of fiduciary duty, civil conspiracy, defamation, fraud, and misappropriation of trade secrets. 

Professional Development Credits (PDC)

Participants can earn up to 1.50 PDCs.

Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

Participants can earn up to 1.80 CPE credits in Specialized Knowledge and Applications upon completion of all course requirements.

ATTENDEE REQUIREMENTS FOR CPE CREDIT

If you purchase CPE credit for this webinar you must satisfy the following conditions in order to receive your certificate:

  1. Answer at least 6 of the 8 polling questions during the webinar
  2. Complete the evaluation survey after the conclusion of the webinar or in the follow-up email

Upon completion of these requirements, Feldesman will email you your CPE Certificate within two (2) weeks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Prerequisites: None 
  • Target Audience: Human Resources Managers and Staff, “C-Suite” Leadership: CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, COOs, and CCOs, Directors and Supervisors, Compliance Officers, Risk Managers, In-House Legal Counsel
  • Advanced Preparation: None  
  • Program Level: All
  • Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
  • Attendance Requirements: In order to be awarded the full credits, you must respond to six (6) out of eight (8) polling questions.

Feldesman Leifer LLP is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website www.nasbaregistry.org (formerly www.learningmarket.org).

Available Credit

  • 1.50 Certificate of Attendance

Price

Cost:
$175.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Access to the recorded version of this webinar is included in your purchase.

ACCESSING THE RECORDING

The recorded version of this webinar will be available within seven (7) business days after the conclusion of the live event. You will have access to the recording for 90 days after the live webinar has concluded. Once posted to your account, you can view this webinar anytime on-demand during the access period identified in the Recorded Webinar Now Available email. For additional information on viewing and accessing webinars, view our full terms and conditions here.


PAYMENT POLICY

All registrations made the day of a live webinar must be completed using a credit card or PayPal. We do not accept check payments or purchase orders for live webinars on the day of the webinar. If you wish to pay by check, please register in enough time for your check to reach our office; we must receive your check before we grant access to the webinar. If we receive your check after the live webinar, we will grant you access to the recorded webinar. For the most current information, please visit our FAQ page.


REFUNDS/ CANCELLATIONS

For orders of live webinars, FTLF will issue a full refund for cancellations requested at least one week PRIOR to the live webinar. We do not provide refunds for no-shows; however, you may request access to the recorded version of the webinar. If you ordered the wrong webinar and need to transfer your registration to a different program, please Contact Us. View our full policy on refunds and cancellations on our FAQ page.

Required Hardware/Software

Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are the preferred browsers.