Behind the Act: Insights from Devon Gilchrist Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act Blog Series Part 4

As part of our ongoing blog series on the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, we had the privilege to interview Devon Gilchrist, Supervisor of the African-American Child and Family Well-Being Unit (AACWBU) at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). With over two decades of experience in child welfare and a strong educational background in sociology, social work, public policy, leadership, and management, Devon provides invaluable insights into the Act and its implementation. To learn more about additional components of this act, check out our previous articles:

Devon Gilchrist’s involvement with the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act dates back to its introduction in 2018. Although the DCYF did not put forth the bill, the AACFWBU provided technical assistance throughout the development of this legislation. The AACFWBU worked closely with the legislative authors, offering feedback on bill language and ensuring alignment with existing statutes to support its passage. This behind-the-scenes work was essential in shaping the Act to meet its objectives effectively.

Now that the Act has been passed, the unit's focus is on ensuring successful implementation of the phase in program for 2025 and the statewide implementation in 2027. This involves a mix of new initiatives along with the expansion of existing resources and processes in place. His team at DCYF is involved in work supporting infrastructure and planning to ensure the Act’s successful rollout. The emphasis is on creating a sustainable and effective framework that aligns with the core goals of the legislation.

Long-Term Goals and Support

The African-American Child and Family Well-Being Unit, established in 2020, is now backed by legislation through the Act. A lot of what the Act is hoping to do are things that this unit was working towards and will now have the support to further expand upon. Long term this support will hopefully allow for the expansion of staff and a broader reach. Devon envisions a future where the unit can engage more deeply with community partners and target initiatives that support positive outcomes for African-American families.

Child welfare workers face significant challenges, particularly regarding high caseloads and time constraints. Devon highlights the importance of giving workers the time and support needed to engage families effectively. Ongoing practice training, worker well-being initiatives, and retention efforts are vital to ensuring workers can perform their roles successfully and work to retain more of the workforce already in the field.

Devon advises child welfare workers to adopt a strength-based approach, leveraging successful strategies and collaborating with colleagues. Building skill sets for working with diverse populations and engaging families through a cultural and equity lens are critical components of this approach. He encourages workers to see DCYF as a supportive resource, ready to provide consultation and feedback on challenging cases.

Role of the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy

The Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the Act. Training requirements, including cultural competency training and new training being developed around active efforts, are key components of the legislation.

Devon Gilchrist’s insights underscore the importance of thoughtful implementation and ongoing support for child welfare workers as the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act is rolled out. By fostering collaboration, providing necessary resources, and emphasizing cultural competency, MNCWTA, DCYF, and other partners are working to create a more equitable and effective child welfare system.