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Northfield hears state briefing on sustained DEI training and Ideal Vermont program
Summary
A state racial equity trainer outlined IDEAL/Ideal Vermont — a multi‑year, cohort model for municipal DEI work — and urged Northfield to pair short trainings with ongoing action, readiness assessment and community engagement to make equity durable.
Shalini, a trainer from the state office of racial equity, told the Northfield Select Board on April 22 that short, one‑off DEI workshops rarely change long‑term practice and recommended a sustained program model for the town.
Shalini described Ideal Vermont (IDEAL) as an action‑oriented cohort program funded by the legislature that requires an application, readiness quiz and an interview. She said communities that join send one to three town leaders to trainings and can rotate participants yearly so officials and staff across departments receive education and technical assistance. “Action is the key word,” Shalini said, noting the program includes grants, peer cohort sharing and state technical support such as accessibility guidance for municipal websites.
As examples of outcomes, Shalini cited a sensory trail created by a member community and grant‑funded equity audits other towns used to identify and remove procedural barriers. She also walked the board through interactive exercises intended to reveal unconscious bias and urged the Select Board to pair training with follow‑up “homework” and organizational commitments so equity work survives budget pressures and deadlines.
Shalini told the board that signing the town’s declaration of inclusion helps a community’s application and that participation in the Vermont League of Cities and Towns’ Welcoming and Engaging Communities program improves readiness for IDEAL. She offered to follow up with the board and noted staff training is scheduled for a later date.
The board agreed to gather more documentation and put program participation — including whether the town should first complete the Welcoming and Engaging Communities program — on a future agenda. The Select Board did not take a formal vote on enrolling in IDEAL at the April 22 meeting.
