Kansas Racial Equity Collaborative
The Kansas Racial Equity Collaborative is a statewide effort to understand the history of racial inequities in child welfare and to define the problem through a shared language and shared understanding, so we all advocate for racial equity.
Pursuing Racial Equity: A Collaborative Effort
The Kansas Racial Equity Collaborative brings together the child welfare workforce and mandated reporters to build shared, multi-disciplinary knowledge and accountability in achieving equitable outcomes for children and families of color who come into contact with the child welfare system.
Online Learning Lectures
Lecture 1
Understanding the Historical Context of Structural Racism and Current Day Implications: How We Got Here and a Better Path Forward Speakers: Haywood Burns Institute Held on September 29, 2021
Lecture 2
Addressing Racial Inequities in Child Welfare: View from Early Childhood Education Speaker: Dr. Iheoma U. Iruka Held on October 27th, 2021
Lecture 3
Debunking Myths Around Racial Inequities in Child Welfare Speakers: Deirdre Calcoate, Dr. Alan J. Dettlaff, Ruby White Starr Held on January 26, 2022
Lecture 4
Forward Movement: Shifting from Control of to Support for Black and Brown Families Speakers: Maleeka Jihad, Kristen Weber, Nina Shaw-Woody, and Joni Hiatt Held on February 23, 2022
The Symposium
Courageous Collaborations
Kansas Racial Equity Collaborative Core Collaborators
Department for Children and Families Regional Director Shanelle Dupree, Department for Children and Families Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Brandi Turner, CarePortal Regional Manager Abby Fry, CarePortal Child and Family Advocate Ashley Smith, University of Kansas School of Social Welfare Doctoral Student Kelechi Wright, Associate Researcher Pegah Naemi Jimenez, PhD., Associate Professor, PhD Program Director Dr. Becci Akin, and University of Kansas School of Social Welfare Project Manager for Kansas Strong for Children and Families Sarah McCall.
Courageous Collaborations
The Kansas Racial Equity Collaborative was established with the support of the following organizations:
The Kansas Racial Equity Collaborative was established with the support of the following organizations:
Kansas Department for Children and Families
Kansas Strong for Children and Families
University of Kansas School of Social Welfare
