Equity Learning Series is sponsored by Washington State Office of Equity. Washington state grant opportunity: Equity Learning Series.

Equity Learning Series | Office of Equity Join us as we host webinars focused on equity & belonging topics. We have launched our new monthly Equity Learning Series! These webinars will be geared towards increasing the knowledge, skills, and ability of us all within State Government.

We do this to fulfill one of our main goals: delivering services equitably to meet the unique needs of every person in Washington. Click the link to review the Equity Learning Series FAQ Small Business Inclusion Webinar The Washington State Office of Equity is excited to continue our Equity Learning Series into 2026! We start the new year off with an amazing partnership with Earl Key.

Earl is the Senior Director of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Earl has been kind enough to work with the Office of Equity and our attendees and brings his experience, knowledge, and subject matter expertise around supplier diversity.

He is an experienced lawyer, advisor and advocate who is recognized for his work to improve minority representation, equal opportunity hiring and compliance. This webinar will discuss the current state of affirmative action in public contracting and WSDOT’s efforts to implement race-neutral small business initiatives in response. Time : 10:00 am – 11:00 am PT Location : Virtually on Zoom.

Preventing Veteran Suicide by Combating Stigma: Building Awareness and Support The Washington State Office of Equity is excited to announce that we have rescheduled our Combating Stigma webinar. We have partnered with Nicole Vreeland, the Suicide Prevention Program Manager with Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.

Together we felt this was a perfect opportunity for another Equity Learning Series webinar: Preventing Veteran Suicide by Combating Stigma: Building Awareness and Support. This session will explore the critical issue of stigma surrounding mental health and suicide within the Service Member, Veteran, and Family (SMVF) community.

Stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking help, contributing to isolation, misinformation, and lack of access to essential mental health services. This training focuses on understanding the types of stigmas – self, public, and institutional. We work through how stigma impacts mental health and practical steps to reduce its presence.

Participants will engage in meaningful discussion to challenge and address stigma, foster supportive peer networks, and promote help-seeking behavior. Through interactive breakout sessions and guided discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the emotional and cultural factors that contribute to stigma.

Attendees will walk away able to identify barriers to mental health care within the military community, Finally, they will be able to develop actionable strategies for creating a more supportive and empathetic environment. Preventing Veteran Suicide by Combating Stigma: Building Awareness and Support aims to empower participants to take an active role in reducing stigma and supporting suicide prevention efforts in their communities.

The goal is to foster resilience, normalize conversations about mental health, and reduce the risk of suicide by promoting early intervention and a strong network of support. Time : 9:30 am – 11:00 am PT Location : Virtually on Zoom.