Racial Equity Collaborative

04/24/2026

What could the dashboard do for you ?

A professor at the University of Kansas is equipping students to confidently navigate and interpret real-world data—using the RED Data Dashboard.

A nonprofit leveraged the RED Dashboard to successfully apply to become a Family Resource Center in Wyandotte County, Kansas.

A doctoral student used RED Dashboard data to complete her social work dissertation.

Real people. Real impact. Real data in action.

Explore the RED Data Dashboard and start turning data into decisions: https://www.racialequitycollaborative.org/dashboard

04/13/2026

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month💙

Child abuse and neglect are deeply connected to systemic inequities that impact families and communities in different ways and prevention begins when we commit to addressing the barriers that put children at risk.

This week is action week! Take a look at the website below to see how you can get involved in making a change!

https://preventchildabuse.org/

Wear blue and plant a pinwheel to open the door for conversations about preventing child abuse.

03/21/2026

This Women’s History Month, we pause to recognize the women whose strength, wisdom, and leadership have helped shape the fight for racial equity.

From classrooms to boardrooms, from neighborhoods to movements, women have long been at the heart of building more just and inclusive communities.

We celebrate the women who came before us, the women leading now, and the next generation rising with courage and purpose ❤️

02/15/2026

“Black History Month invites us not only to reflect on the past, but to examine how history continues to shape present-day systems- and to considers our role in creating something better.”

As we celebrate and reflect this month, we want to invite you to take a look and two articles from REC’s Executive Director Shanelle Dupree. In these articles she touches on Black History Month and how it ties into our heart for what we do in the justice system, SOUL Family, understanding why history matters and more!

Understanding Before Action: Why History and Data Matter for Racial Equity:

https://dccasaks.org/post/understanding-before-action-why-history-and-data-matter-for-racial-equity/

From Reflection to Action: How Black History Month Is Shaping Racial Equity and Foster Care in Kansas:

https://dccasaks.org/post/from-reflection-to-action-how-black-history-month-is-shaping-racial-equity-and-foster-care-in-kansas/

A look at how lived experience and real-time data are coming together to reshape racial equity efforts in Kansas.

02/14/2026

Foster parents carry incredible influence — and this workshop is designed to help you step into that power with confidence.

Join us for Interactive Theater: The Power of Foster Parents — an experiential workshop that uses role play to address complex challenges and equip you with tools for healing, safety, and reintegration.

🗓 Friday, February 20, 2026
⏰ 2:15–3:15 PM
👉 Register at www.realencouragement.org

01/26/2026

✨ Calling all child welfare professionals ✨

If you are a current or former child welfare professional who has participated in leadership development or coaching, we invite you to complete this confidential survey for a doctoral student who has asked for your support!

Kenisha C**n is in the final stretch of my doctoral journey and currently collecting data for her dissertation research.

She is conducting doctoral research on evidence-based coaching, decision-making, and cultural responsiveness in child welfare.

Your lived and professional experience truly matters. This research centers practitioner voices and aims to inform more equitable, effective, and responsive child welfare practice.

Please consider:
✔️ Taking the survey
✔️ Sharing it with your colleagues, networks, and listservs

Thank you for supporting research that is grounded in practice, equity, and systems change.

🔗 Survey link: https://lnkd.in/gfWCMJTV

12/25/2025

From our REC family to yours, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas ❤️🎄

12/19/2025

The SOUL Family Collective invites you to join a virtual informational session to learn more about SOUL Family. As you may know, SOUL Family is a new permanency option designed to provide lifelong connections and support for young people in care.

This invitation is extended in recognition of the important work you and your organization do alongside young people. We hope you’ll join us to learn more and explore how SOUL Family can offer lifelong support for young people in care.
Upcoming SOUL Family Informational Sessions
All sessions are virtual. Registration is required. Please use the Zoom registration link included below to sign up for your selected session date and time.

Monday, January 12, 2026 | 9:00–11:00 AM | https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g8N1_MufSMCj5euAH77DCw #/registration

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KaeA1vAfQ0iwyPkTiBg8yw #/registration

Monday, February 9, 2026 | 1:00–3:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_knyc6JH5RXqu497dLs208Q #/registration

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 3:00–5:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_caxXFdX_Qv6pq3zbX38NhQ #/registration

During this session, participants will:

➡️Learn why SOUL Family was created and what it is and is not.
➡️Explore the core components, including the SOUL Family Network Wheel and Pathways.
➡️Understand the benefits and key legal considerations.
➡️Receive practical, trauma-informed strategies for engaging and communicating with families.
➡️Discuss ways to contribute to advancing SOUL Family from their professional role.
➡️Participate in a Q&A session.

11/28/2025

In a month like November- a season of thanksgiving, love and family- we also pause to recognize National Adoption Month.

As we wrap up November, this month reminds us that every child deserves the safety, stability and belonging that family provides. At REC, we remain committed to advocating for equity and systems where every child has the opportunity to thrive in a loving, permanent home.

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving & Happy National Adoption Month 🤎

11/18/2025

Happy Birthday to our very own Shanelle Dupree❤️

You are truly a woman of many talents and we are so grateful to learn not only from your expertise, but from your compassionate heart for others and the mission here at REC!

Wishing you an abundance of joy, happiness, love and blessings in this new season of your life !

Happy Birthday 🎂🥳