Save the date for February 3, 2022, 2:00 PM EST, for a live event by the Children’s Bureau when they release an information memorandum (IM) “Equity in Action.” The IM covers:

  • The impact of racism on poverty and the well-being of children and families.
  • The need for comprehensive action to address structural racism within policies and programs that serve as barriers to equal opportunity.
  • Current work being done within ACF to address racial equity.
  • Promising practices conducted in the human services agencies.
  • Actions ACF urges the field to consider in effort to advance equity.

This follows up on an April 13, 2021, launch of an equity agenda to eliminate inequities within federal programming, as well as within the administration of human service programs in jurisdictions. In addition to focusing on advancing racial equity, it will also address frameworks, resources, and tools developed to also address equities across other marginalized communities, including members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; and persons who live in rural areas.

The Racial Equity IM covers several topics as follows:

  • The impact of racism on poverty and the well-being of children and families.
  • The need for comprehensive action to address structural racism within policies and programs that serve as barriers to equal opportunity.
  • Current work being done within ACF to address racial equity.
  • Promising practices conducted in the human services agencies.
  • Actions ACF urges the field to consider in effort to advance equity.

CWLA has been working internally and externally to focus greater attention on equity issues not just in child welfare but across human services.  On Capitol Hill we have been focused on key reforms of past child welfare actions that include Racial Equity in Child Welfare: Address the Roadblocks and how Congress can strengthen requirements in how states address diligent recruitment of families so that they reflect the child population being served.

For more information on the Children’s Bureau Save the Date go HERE.