The mission of the Diversity Task Force is “to create, support and facilitate the understanding and valuing of human diversity for individuals and organizations affiliated with the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center. The Task Force will provide leadership, direction, and accountability towards the goal of awareness and commitment to cultural competence through communication, advocacy, and education.”

The Diversity Task Force is comprised of up to 30 persons who are committed to issues of human diversity in child welfare. There are multiple levels of child welfare agency staff represented, as well as trainers from the Resource Center, resource parents, representatives from the Department of Public Welfare as well as “at large” members who have a passion for and commitment to issues of human diversity and child welfare.

The Diversity Task Force holds bi-monthly meetings. Unlike many task forces that are more advisory in nature, the Diversity Task Force actively participates in making projects come to function. Meetings are structured to be “working sessions” during which work on projects is undertaken. In addition to bi-monthly meetings, subcommittees generally undertake work outside of the large body meetings. Once a year the Task Force also engages in a one-day planning retreat during which needs are assessed and new projects for the upcoming fiscal year identified.

Diversity Task Force Strategic Plan 2011-2013

This plan was developed by the Diversity Task Force to help guide its members during the 2009-2011 fiscal years.  Goals, activities, resources and timelines are included.

Diversity Task Force Brochure

ICWA Handbook

ICWA Screening Form
ICWA Desk Aid
Indian Child Welfare Act: Designated Tribal Agents for Service of Notice

According to the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) is a federal law that seeks to keep American Indian children with American Indian families. Congress passed ICWA in 1978 in response to the alarmingly high number of Indian children being removed from their homes by both public and private agencies. The intent of Congress under ICWA was to "protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families" (25 U.S.C. § 1902). ICWA sets federal requirements that apply to state child custody proceedings involving an Indian child who is a member of or eligible for membership in a federally recognized tribe.

The ICWA Compliance Desk Aid, ICWA Screening Form, Indian Child Welfare Act: Designated Tribal Agents for Service of Notice offered via the links offered, will help Pennsylvania’s child welfare and related professionals in better assuring that they meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s children and their families with Native American heritage by:

LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth) Manual

The Diversity Task Force helped create the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Youth in the Child Welfare System Manual as a resource guide for Child Welfare Professionals that have attended training 202-3 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Youth in the Child Welfare System.  Workers are strongly encouraged to utilize this manual as a reference tool when working with young adults, youth and families.

Diversity Task Force Members 2011

Kaneca Austin
Elizabeth Boulware-Bair
Connie Briscoe
Dianna Brocious
Tecumseh Brown-Eagle
Sue Castles
Mike Danner
Sharon England
Barb Eubanks
Cashé Featherson
Bea Ferguson-Murphy
Deb Gadsden
Deborah Gonzalez
Lucinda Gore*
Mary Ann Grec
Judith Hoover-Thompson
Sherri Irvis Hill
Jill Kachmar
Crystal Karenchak
Dale Lemon
Kala Lilani
Evelyn Lopez
Cindy Milián*
Joel Miranda
Joan Mosier
Kathy Ramper
Reed Reynolds
Oswald Smalls
Linda Spiritoso
Tom Trafalski

*Denotes Co-Leads

Please contact Cindy Gore at lcg7@pitt.edu with any questions or comments.