racial equity

This project will promote racial healing and will work to eliminate the racial inequity that has historically been part of the child welfare system both in Denver and throughout the nation. In Montbello and Green Valley Ranch specifically, more than 70% of the population is non-White, and children and families of color are twice as likely as their White counterparts to be reported to the child welfare system.

Based on these startling statistics, the project will create a healing task force to address stakeholders’ perceptions, racial inequities, practices, and reform in the agency and in the communities concurrently. This three-year, three-phase approach will ascertain the extent of the racial inequity, and then implement bold revisions to change the current practices. Activities will include: data collection, healing circles for dialogue and understanding, as well as training and intervention opportunities. In taking these steps, the project will promote racial healing, and help eliminate institutionalized and structural racism among the vulnerable populations in Denver, with the potential to replicate this work in communities nationwide.