The bill creates multiple ways to promote equity, diversity, and
inclusion (EDI) in Colorado's child welfare system. The state department of human services (department) is directed to work with county departments of human or social services to:
•
Update the existing annual departmental EDI report using state data sources and national child welfare data clearinghouses;
•
Identify necessary demographic or other data that is not currently collected in Colorado's child welfare case management system (system) and determine recommendations for improving data collection statewide;
•
Provide a report on the state's progress in addressing data collection and data entry challenges in the system; and
•
Provide a report on the state's progress in training child welfare staff on demographic data collection.
The department shall strengthen EDI training for child welfare
staff and management.
The bill requires the department to provide recommendations for
training requirements for other child welfare agencies and to offer specific EDI training for mandatory reporters to address disparities in reporting in Colorado's child welfare system.
The department shall use an internal evaluator to evaluate local
policies, rules, or practices and to work with counties on incorporating EDI principles into their child welfare work.
