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Join us as we host webinars focused on equity & belonging topics.

Equity Learning Series

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

Targeted Universalism  

The Washington State Office of Equity is adding a new webinar to the Equity Learning Series. Presented by Jeremy Walker, Equity Analyst at the Department of Commerce’s Office of Equity and Belonging. Jeremy shares his expertise on Targeted Universalism for this webinar. 

Washington State agencies struggle to serve everyone. Agencies are responsible for making difficult decisions based on scarce resources and reduced capacity. Is there a better way to serve everyone? Targeted Universalism sets goals while recognizing that different groups may require tailored approaches to achieve them, addressing disparities in opportunities and promoting equity. Jeremy will give an overview of the following: 

  • What is Targeted Universalism?
  • What makes it different than other approaches?
  • How can it be implemented practically in your work?
  • Best practices
  • Tools & resources for staff  

Webinar details 

Using Mindfulness & Stress Management in Times of Change

The Washington State Office of Equity is hosting a new webinar as part of the Equity Learning Series. Cheral Manke and Leatta Dahlhoff from the Department of Enterprise Services will lead the session.

With all the changes and stress in 2025, this webinar will focus on simple ways to manage stress and take care of ourselves. You’ll learn how to:

  • Check in with yourself
  • Practice self-care
  • Notice your emotions
  • Understand your stress triggers
  • Respond in healthier ways

The session includes a short mindfulness exercise to help you relax and leave with tools you can use every day.

Webinar details

Preventing Veteran Suicide by Combating Stigma: Building Awareness and Support

The Washington State Office of Equity is excited to announce that for Suicide Prevention Month we have partnered with Nicole Vreeland, the Suicide Prevention Program Manager with Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs for another Equity Learning Series webinar.

This session will explore the critical issue of stigma surrounding mental health and suicide with 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. The training focuses on understanding the types of stigmas – self, public, and institutional – 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, identify barriers to mental health care within the military community, and develop actionable strategies for creating a more supportive and empathetic environment. This training 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.

Register today for the upcoming webinar:

Disability in the Court System Webinar Series

The Washington State Office of Equity is proud to present a 6-part series on Disability Justice as part of the Equity Learning Series. Led by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Helen Whitener and Joslyn Nelson, Senior Court Program Analyst for the Disability Justice Task Force, this series explores how ableism and intersecting inequities, including the criminalization of disability and its impact on the Washington’s court systems. Topics include the school-to-prison pipeline, autism and court access, accommodation requests, and the compounded barriers faced by multiply marginalized communities. Each session offers practical insights and strategies to support more inclusive, equitable, and disability-just practices across the legal system.

Register today for the October webinar sessions

  • October 1, 2025 – 10:00am-11:30am
  • October 8, 2025 – 10:00am-11:30am
  • October 15, 2025 – 10:00am-11:30am
  • October 22, 2025 – 10:00am-11:30am
  • October 29, 2025 – 10:00am-11:30am

Registration link

Special education pipeline in prison – October 1, 2025

  • This session examines how school discipline policies and special education practices can contribute to a pipeline that pushes students with disabilities into the juvenile and adult legal systems. It highlights opportunities for courts to interrupt this trajectory and support better outcomes.

Autism in the courts – October 8, 2025

  • Explore how standard court practices can create access barriers for autistic individuals, from communication challenges to misinterpreted behaviors. This session outlines strategies courts can adopt to create respectful, inclusive environments.

How marginalized people experience injustice – October 15, 2025

  • Through a candid and conversational exchange, this session explores how intersecting identities, such as disability, race, gender, and poverty, compound inequities within the legal system. The discussion will delve into the root causes and offer insights on how courts can respond with intention and equity.

Focus on the courts & Requesting access service – October 22, 2025

  • This dialogue-style session explores how Washington’s courts approach disability access and inclusion. Through reflection and conversation, speakers will examine common systemic barriers, identify areas for improvement, and discuss what meaningful access could look like across various court settings. We will also be addressing the real-world challenges individuals encounter when requesting accommodations in court. Speakers will explore practical solutions, clarify what access should entail, and provide examples of how courts can better uphold rights and eliminate confusion.

Domestic violence within disabled communities – October 29, 2025

  • This session addresses the unique risks and barriers faced by disabled survivors of domestic violence, including access to protection orders, shelter, and court participation. It highlights how courts and legal systems can offer more effective and accessible support.

Register today for the November webinar session

  • November 12, 2025 – 10:00 am-11:30am

Registration link

Criminalization of Disabilities – November 12, 2025 

  • This session explores how systemic gaps in health care, education, and housing contribute to the overrepresentation of people with disabilities in the criminal legal system. It outlines the role courts can play in shifting from punitive to supportive responses.