Join an employee resource group today!

In 2022, the FSSA Office of Healthy Opportunities created guidelines for employees to create and lead Employee Resource Groups, voluntary employee-led groups focused on creating community within FSSA. ERGs introduce new and current employees to our culture, create leadership opportunities for staff, and help build and maintain employee engagement and satisfaction. Groups can focus on any number of shared experiences, including professional development.

Some benefits to staff participation in an ERG include:

• Development of additional workplace leadership skills
• Networking opportunities with FSSA staff outside of a program team
• Better knowledge of agency, state and national resources
• Staff able to engage with other agency staff outside of their typical team
• Minimal effects on working hours (average of 1-hour monthly meeting)

OHO continues to provide support for established ERGs and guidance for those interested in creating new groups. Learn more by visiting OHO’s SharePoint page.

Current ERGs

No Barriers

No Barriers provides employees with a safe space and supportive atmosphere for individuals with disabilities and their allies. Meetings allow members to share experiences and information to reduce internalized ableism. No Barriers also provides education to employees to advocate for people with disabilities. Use Teams code VTXF4K2 to join No Barriers the first Thursday of every month at 2–3 p.m. EST.

Professionals in Progress

Professionals in Progress aims to build a community among FSSA’s early career professionals, identify opportunities for interagency collaboration, generate conversations for career growth and development, and advise on how to recruit and retain talent. PIP hosts speaker series, provides space for soft skill development, community engagement and professional networking. Use Teams code RC3NVUO to join PIP Team the last Tuesday of every month at 2–3 p.m. EST.

Joint Awareness for Minoritized Staff

JAMS provides a space for meaningful conversation to support recruitment and retention among staff of color. The group will support FSSA staff by providing resources and strategies for thriving in the workplace and tools for allies to provide support. Use Teams code 01Q79EC to join JAMS the last Thursday of every month at 2–3 p.m. EST.

Contact OHO

The Office of Healthy Opportunities was created in 2018 to work with communities served by Indiana FSSA to integrate social drivers of health—including racial and social equity—into agency programs and services. Our staff manage agency ADA compliance while informing barrier reduction strategies across FSSA divisions. Staff also seek feedback from community members, partner organizations and FSSA programs to inform efforts related to social determinants of health across the agency.

You can stay in touch with OHO by reaching out to healthyopportunities@fssa.in.gov or by requesting access to the FSSA Office of Healthy Opportunities SharePoint page.