Project Abstract
House Bill (HB) 21-1101 created the High Quality Parenting Time Task Force (Task Force) to explore and make recommendations on statutory and regulatory changes to ensure every family in Colorado has access to high quality family time when they are separated through a dependency and neglect case. The Task Force brings together the Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel, the Office of the Child’s Representative, the Colorado Department of Human Services, the Child Protection Ombudsman’s Office, counties, service providers, and parents and youth with lived experience. Pursuant to HB21-1101, high quality family time is an essential mechanism for achieving family preservation and family strengthening, including reducing trauma to children/youth and parents, increasing reunification success, and improving family relationships.
HB23-1027 extended the Task Force and its statutorily defined duties, which includes conducting a statewide study on family time practices and making recommendations for the future. The Colorado Lab partnered with the Task Force to fulfill this legislative opportunity and increase the capacity for high quality family time services that drive positive outcomes. The Colorado Lab will support the Task Force by 1) develop data-informed recommendations on best practice standards for delivering family time in Colorado, and 2) make recommendations for funding structure to actualize best practice standards and build capacity for implementation.
Agencies:
Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel
High Quality Parenting Time Task Force
Research Partners:
University of Denver, Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab
