September marks the beginning of Child Welfare Workforce Development Month, a time of celebrating and honoring the accomplishments of Child Welfare staff as well as the passion and effort that they put forward to ensure that the families they support are treated in a culturally responsive and trauma-informed manner. Within the Cultural Responsiveness Academy (CRA), an Academy program that is an integral part of Child Welfare Development Services (CWDS), we have witnessed the unwavering dedication of staff at every level to engage in enriching learning opportunities that allow them to better serve the community. We would like to extend our profound gratitude to each of them for their ongoing dedication.

Each day, Child Welfare staff engage and collaborate with individuals of various experiences and cultural backgrounds and have the opportunity to impact issues of disproportionality and disparity. Addressing these issues necessitates introspection, empathy, and the courage to delve into unfamiliar discussions and topics. From those in support roles to positions of leadership, individuals are embracing transformative workforce development opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills. These experiences empower Child Welfare staff to implement changes at both an individual and organizational level.

At the heart of the CRA and every program within the Academy for Professional Excellence lies our shared mission: to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities. Please join us in celebrating and honoring the accomplishments of Child Welfare staff and supporting their endeavors.

Written by Wanjiru Golly, PhD (CCA/CRA Program Manager) and Adrian Gomez (CRA Learning & Curriculum Coordinator)

Visit the Child Welfare Development Services webpage and Cultural Responsiveness Academy webpage to learn more about the programs.

Return to Blog & Latest News.