The Colorado Human Services Directors Association (CHSDA) is a non-profit association representing the social/human services directors from each of Colorado’s counties. CHSDA works under the authority and direction of County Commissioners.
Our Vision
A statewide human services system that empowers and helps individuals, families and communities to thrive.
Our Mission
The Colorado Human Services Directors Association brings together human services directors from each of Colorado’s counties to advance the well-being and self-sufficiency of individuals, families and communities.
To accomplish this mission, the Association will:
Foster collaboration across counties to identify shared priorities, develop unified positions and guide the work of CHSDA.
Facilitate a peer network for county directors, offering professional development and opportunities to share best practices.
Support and make recommendations to elected officials in the governance, policy, development and desired outcomes pertaining to local human services delivery.
Advocate for policy, regulatory and statutory changes to improve Colorado’s human services system and better serve our clients and communities.
Collaborate with Governor’s, General Assembly and state agency staff, community partners, and community members around statewide priorities, best practices and funding needs.
Advance equity in Colorado’s human services delivery system.
Educate state and federal policy-makers and the public regarding the impact of human services policies on individuals, communities and counties.
Promote effective communication between and among county human service departments, state agencies and federal administrative agencies.
CHSDA Values
Throughout its 70 year history, the CHSDA has developed and refined the following organizational values:
- Quality Client Services Come First – A consistent value held by all counties is the importance of providing quality customer service. All county departments strive to professionally assist needy families in times of crisis, whether they need child protection, public assistance, or any of the other services available to eligible Colorado residents. The client should always be at the center of, and included in, the dialogue
- Open and Efficient Access to Public Assistance – CHSDA values providing multiple, easy points of access to public assistance programs to Colorado’s eligible clients. CHSDA endorses a best practice strategy that incorporates both state and local solutions for determining eligibility for benefits
- Collaboration – CHSDA values meaningful county participation and collaboration with the state and other human services stakeholders, including the non-profit, business and faith-based communities.
- Locally-Based Service Delivery – Colorado has a long tradition of empowering local governments to provide key services. It is critical that the provision of community-based, front-end prevention services be preserved and strengthened. Front-end prevention services are essential for promoting strong, positive results in preventing family dislocations, addressing poverty, and promoting positive outcomes within the child welfare system. Across all delivery systems and populations, the human and financial outcomes of evidence-based front-end prevention services are proven to be effective. Studies show that local governments are most responsive to local citizens and have a better understanding of the needs of local communities. Counties throughout Colorado have developed strong partnerships with local agencies and leveraged local funds to provide the best integrated services to Colorado residents. It is clear to the counties that “one size does not fit all.”
- Cultural Relevancy and Addressing Disproportionality – Colorado must implement human services programs that are culturally relevant and appropriate. Colorado is a state with a rich mix of racial and ethnic diversity. It is critical that our human services system is able to respond to the unique needs of all families in need.
- No Unfunded Mandates – While the counties are strongly committed to serving our clients, CCI and CHSDA are opposed to unfunded mandates. We believe that any mandates created must come with appropriate funding resources to ensure effective implementation. A strong review of current practice and a strategic focus on desired outcomes will promote the removal of unnecessary and burdensome barriers to effective delivery of services.
- Accountability and Transparency – CHSDA values accountability and outcomes-based practices. CHSDA is committed to data-driven decision-making in the management and implementation of all services. CHSDA promotes the effective development of statewide data systems.
CHSDA Strategic Principles
- Recognizing local differences
- Promote locally relevant solutions and locally delivered services to meet community needs
- Commitment to excellence
- Keep the primary focus of our work tied to families and communities and their needs
- Identify and address fairness and equity issues in the system (disproportionality)
- Strengthen our Leadership
- Focus on continuous quality improvement
- Develop strong statewide management
- Use consistent data measures
- Define acceptable/unacceptable outcomes
- Jointly define and accept shared risk
- Enhance our accountability
- Strengthen our relationships with CDHS/HCPF
- Develop and advocate for resources and partnerships at the state and local levels
- Develop community support by listening and being responsive
- Recognizing our interconnectedness with other governing boards
- Be creative, bold
CHSDA Vision Statement to Advance Race Equity in Child Welfare (desired future state): Colorado families have equal opportunity to access services, resources, and supports to ensure they are thriving and safe within their communities. A family’s cultural beliefs, traditions, or customs are strengths. The child welfare system will support those families in need of child welfare intervention. Race, ethnicity, and poverty have no adverse impact on any family becoming engaged with, nor their experience within, the child welfare system.
CHSDA Values to Advance Race Equity in Child Welfare:
- Courage: We acknowledge the high-stakes/high-impact nature of our work with families. We have the courage to name and address inequities, shift the power balance, and drive system-wide change.
- Relationships: We prioritize people and connections. We lead with grace, vulnerability, acceptance, openness and kindness. We choose to be person-centered and family-focused.
- Commitment: We commit to bringing hope, meaning and purpose in working with families and communities.
- Inclusion: We strive to cultivate belonging, growth, and opportunities for meaningful engagement that reflect the diversity of our communities. We commit to intentional engagement that honors the dignity of families and communities.
- Service: We believe families deserve the least intrusive interventions. We commit to intentional, kind, quality support delivered with consistency and respect.
- Accountability: We value integrity, shared responsibility and accountability for achieving equitable impact for communities most harmed by Child Welfare system involvement. We believe in truth-telling, reconciliation, and repairing trust.
- Resources: We believe, collectively, there should be enough opportunity, resources, knowledge, and support for all families as we work together to shift power and resources across all communities to achieve system-wide change.
- Families: We value the experience and perspectives of families and communities. We acknowledge the profound impact that involvement in the system has on individuals, families, and communities.
In 2010, CHSDA underwent a reorganization. To learn more, click here.
