The place for equity in the child welfare workforce
The Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership’s (CWEL) mission is to advance equity and social justice within the child welfare workforce and improve workforce recruitment and retention through site-specific support.
This is all while disrupting a system that perpetuates racial injustice. A diverse workforce will help increase equitable outcomes for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous children and families.
In collaboration with the Children’s Bureau
Funded by the United States Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Children’s Bureau in October 2023, the newly launched Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership will provide site-specific technical assistance to jurisdictions to diversify the workforce and improve recruitment, retention, and well-being through equity and leadership advancement initiatives.
The Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership reflects ACF’s answer to the continued focus and commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration to diversify the child welfare workforce, advance equity and social justice, and remove barriers to opportunities for underserved communities.
Recent blog posts
Check out our new blog, where we’ll share news, resources, and topics related to the child welfare workforce.
Child welfare faces a crisis with high turnover rates. To improve retention, prioritize a psychologically safe culture, address racism, review data, and explore resources together.
Indigenous leadership offers a way to transform mainstream leadership-here’s why.
“Let’s do the work with courage and persistence so that every child and family has the right to be equal and whole.”
“Diverse leaders can be key drivers of needed systems change in the child welfare workforce. We are dedicated to crafting a future where every professional in the workforce possesses the essential tools, coaching, training, and data for effective leadership.”
“We owe it to our children and families to create a workforce that amplifies cultural representation and improves the capacity of child welfare professionals to provide the support requested by our communities.”
“I am excited and encouraged that OICWA’s partnership with CWEL will provide support and leadership coaching opportunities to tribal child welfare programs with intentional strengthening of cultural well-being.”
