Reimagining Colorado’s Child Welfare System
We work to transform the child welfare system into a resource that families would willingly use.
Learn more about what we do and join us to create initiatives that help families and keep them together.
What do we do?
We create solutions after gathering stories and input from different resources, including:
- Lived experienced individuals who have been involved in the system and want to collaborate to improve it.
- Child welfare professionals who have dedicated their careers to help children, youth and families.
- Lawmakers who work to develop and approve legislation that supports families.
- Organizations serving children, youth and families.
- Community members who advocate and assist families.
Why do we do it?
We know that families can thrive if they are together. Some situations can place families under stress and at risk of separation. We want to reshape the system so it is less punitive and more supportive. To achieve this we need services, initiatives, laws, and projects to help families overcome challenges and set them for success.
What are our actions?
We are committed to improving the system and to achieve this, we:
- Hold a statewide in-person convening
- Establish priority areas
- Dedicate resources to compensate lived experts and ensure diverse representation
- Have a dedicated director hired by Foster America (partner organization) to help lead this work
- Meet with counties to initiate conversations on prototypes
- Establish subcommittees to ensure inclusion of stakeholders across the state
Meet us
We are more than fifteen individuals united with one objective: Reimagining the Child Welfare System. Read about each of us by clicking the button below.
“Children are innocent and are entitled to opportunity in life. I survived a traumatic system, and have turned my pain into passion, advocating for parents and kids, to keep them together.”
-Nate Bustamante
Learn about our experiences
Become part of the change!
If you are interested about becoming part of the Reimagining Child Welfare Steering Committee or have questions, contact Joe Homlar at joseph.homlar@state.co.us.