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

The Diversity Taskforce 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 Training Program, foster parents, representatives from the Department of Public Welfare, the Central Steering Committee of the Training Program as well as “at large” members who have a passion for and commitment to issues of human diversity and Child Welfare.

The Diversity Taskforce holds bi-monthly meetings. Unlike many taskforces that are more advisory in nature, the Diversity Taskforce 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, there are several subcommittees that members can elect to participate on. These subcommittees generally undertake their work outside of the large body meetings. Once a year the Taskforce also engages in a two-day planning retreat during which needs are assessed and new projects for the upcoming fiscal year identified.

Diversity Taskforce Strategic Plan 2007-2008

This plan was developed by the Diversity Taskforce to help guide its members during the 2007-2008 fiscal year.  Goals, activities, resources, and timelines are included.

Diversity Taskforce Brochure

This brochure is available for download and includes information about the Diversity Taskforce as well as its mission, vision, and purpose.

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

The Diversity Taskforce 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.

2008-2009 Membership

First Name	Last Name
Renee	Basile-Bearse
Elizabeth	Boulware-Bair
Diana	Brocious
Barb	Eubanks
Cashe	Featherson
Deb	Gadsden
Brandie	Gilbert
Grace	Gross
Don	Hockenberry
Judith	Hoover-Thompson
Jennifer	Kerr
Justin	Lee
Paul	McDaniels
Cindy	Milian
Joan	Mosier
Vic	Poirier
Arlene	Prentice
Kathy	Ramper
Gale	Sherrid
Oswald	Smalls
Linda	Spiritoso