Gov.
The Academy will be run by the Colorado Department of Human Services and is established by Senate Bill 164, signed into law by Gov. Ritter during a morning news conference and signing ceremony. State Sen. Linda Newell and Rep. Joe Miklosi sponsored SB 164.
"In a touch economic time like this, we should all be extremely proud of this legislation and the new
"The training academy created by Senate Bill 164 is the result of the hard work of the Governor's Child Welfare Action Committee," said Karen Beye, executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services. "The committee's goal is to make sure all children in the public welfare system have access to quality services and to professionals with the knowledge, skills and abilities to make decisions that will help keep them safe and secure."
The state's child-welfare system cares for children from about 14,000 families a year. Following a spate of deaths of children who had come into contact with the system, Gov. Ritter last year created a Child Welfare Action Committee, which, along with an executive order issued by the Governor, produced SB 164 and the Training Academy.
"We cannot allow one more fatality in our child protective services," Sen. Newell said. "These deaths are unacceptable and unconscionable, but thanks to Senate Bill 164, we will soon be making headway to keep children safe. This bill creates the
"Anything that the state of
The legislation and academy will mandate and standardize training across the state, and help counties recruit and retain qualified child protection workers. It will put
Visit www.colorado.gov/governor or click here for a list of 2009 legislative action by Gov. Ritter.