Inside the Colorado Lab: Committed to Being a Learning Organization

An Essential Element of the Colorado Lab is to learn together with our partners about the data and actions needed to move the needle toward desired outcomes. So too are we committed to being a learning organization. We regularly bring our staff together to learn and grow our capacity to provide top quality support to […]

New Study Estimates Youth and Young Adult Homelessness in Colorado to be Three to Five Times Larger than Previous Estimates

A new research study used more comprehensive and innovative approaches to gain a clearer understanding of the reach of youth and young adult homelessness in Colorado. Unlike traditional point-in-time counts, the study linked unduplicated data from the administrative records of three major systems that identify and support youths experiencing homelessness— the Colorado Department of Education, […]

Inside the Colorado Lab: Prioritizing Accessibility

We have been working hard to make small changes that can make a big difference in ensuring information produced by the Colorado Lab is understandable and accessible to everyone. Our efforts range from simplifying the language we use to avoiding things like overly flashy, dynamic graphics that can be difficult for some people to see. […]

Capacity Building: Family First Continuous Quality Improvement

The Colorado Lab serves as the Family First Evidence-Building Hub, providing guidance to the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) to ensure strategic investments in evidence building for child welfare programs and services that aim to keep children safe and more families together. We’re excited to celebrate an important milestone in this work: the Continuous […]

Update: Evidence-Based Decision Making Glossary

The Evidence-Based Decision Making Glossary is a living document that supports decision makers, agency leadership, and staff in communicating consistently and effectively about use of evidence in policymaking. Each definition is based on a literature review and input from subject matter experts and practitioners. The latest terms added to the glossary are: The Colorado Lab […]

Important Advancement for Notification of Substance Exposed Newborns

We’re shining a spotlight on an important advancement in caring for Colorado families affected by substance use during pregnancy. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) requires states have policies and procedures to address the needs of substance exposed newborns. This includes a process for health care providers to notify child welfare of the […]