March 10, 2022: The Kingston Speaks Inclusion (KSI) team at Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC)  has been busy since their initial project launch in July 2021. A unique partnership between the Kingston Police  and KCHC, the goal of these Community Consultations is to hear feedback on how Kingston Police can  increase equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization, and accessibility (EDIIA) throughout their organization.  

After months of preparation and research – seeking input from key community agencies and groups, building  data collection tools, and planning ways to bring people together to share stories and experiences in the midst of  ever-changing public health guidelines around gatherings – KSI has launched its online survey and is booking  focus groups and interviews in and around the Kingston community.  

“It is crucial,” says Wendy Vuyk, Director of Community Health at KCHC, “that the consultations encourage  many diverse opinions and experiences.” To ensure easy access to the consultation process, says Vuyk, “we can  connect with people in several different ways – via a link to an online survey which takes about 15-20 minutes;  by hosting focus groups in a variety of possible locations (including virtually); or by conducting one-on-one or  small group interviews as requested.” 

The goal of the project is to reach at least 500 participants, and to hear people’s stories and input as to how  Kingston Police can improve their approach to EDIIA within their organization and in their relationships with  the community. “Once the consultation process is complete,” says Giselle Valarezo, KSI Researcher, “the data  will be compiled, analyzed, anonymized and placed into the final report that KSI will present in June.”  

The KSI team has been committed from day one to ensuring that the report is not the end of this process, and  will ensure that they have ongoing representation on the Kingston Police Community Inclusion Council, which  will be created and shaped based on the recommendations of the final KSI report.  

Roger Romero, KSI Project Lead, says this ensures “an ongoing dialogue, and we will stay at the table to ensure  the report’s recommendations are acted upon, and to keep our community up to date.” 

More information (including survey link) https://kchc.ca/weller-avenue/ksi/