One Antiracist Action You Can Take Today: Increase The Diversity Of Our Suppliers And Vendors

By Korin Ihloff – CFO

Wayside is a child welfare and behavioral health agency committed to antiracism, social justice, and advocacy. We continuously seek to grow as a strong model organization that exemplifies Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the ultimate benefit of our clients, the community, and ourselves. As part of doing so, Wayside is committed to making an ongoing meaningful financial commitment to partnering with a proportionate representation of Supplier Diversity Office (SDO)-certified or recognized diverse vendors, business enterprises or non-profit organizations.

Learn more about the Massachusetts SDO program at the link and our new policy here. Then tell us of any businesses or vendors you may know that could potentially qualify in the form to the right!

III.T. SUPPLIER DIVERSITY POLICY

POLICY

On a business level, our plan for these meaningful financial commitments is as follows:

1. When identifying new vendors to meet agency needs, Wayside will seek to interview and/or receive bids from multiple possible vendors for the identified needs prior to making a financial commitment. At least one of the vendors interviewed in each instance must be an SDO-certified or recognized diverse business enterprise.

2. When identifying new vendors to meet agency needs, Wayside commits to mentoring new vendors who might meet criteria for SDO-certification in becoming SDO-certified.

3. Wayside commits to working with current vendors who might meet criteria for SDO-certification and assisting them through the process of becoming certified.

4. All new purchases/vendors sought over $5000 must be pre-approved by an agency VP/COO/CEO/CFO.

5. Wayside will review our list of vendors at least twice per year to ensure we are following our protocols towards increasing our SDO-Certified vendors.