Amend CSSB 11 (house committee printing) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumbering the remaining SECTIONS of the bill as appropriate:
SECTION ____. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 40.0508 to read as follows:
Sec. 40.0508. DIVISION FOR ELIMINATION OF DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITIES. (a) The commissioner shall maintain a division for elimination of disproportionality and disparities in the department to:
(1) assume a leadership role in working or contracting with state and federal agencies, universities, private interest groups, communities, foundations, and offices of minority services to develop initiatives to decrease or eliminate disparities in access to child welfare services among racial, multicultural, disadvantaged, ethnic, and regional populations, including appropriate language services; and
(2) maximize use of existing resources without duplicating existing efforts.
(b) The division may:
(1) provide a central information and referral source, including a clearinghouse for disparities information, and serve as the primary state resource in coordinating, planning, and advocating access to child welfare services to eliminate disparities in this state;
(2) coordinate conferences and other training opportunities to increase skills among state agencies and government staff in management and in the appreciation of cultural diversity;
(3) pursue and administer grant funds for innovative projects for communities, groups, and individuals;
(4) provide recommendations and training in improving minority recruitment in state agencies;
(5) publicize information regarding disparities in access to child welfare services through the use of the media;
(6) network with existing minority organizations, community-based child welfare services groups, and statewide child welfare services coalitions;
(7) solicit, receive, and spend grants, gifts, and donations from public and private sources; and
(8) contract with public and private entities in the performance of its responsibilities.
(c) In performing its duties under this section, the department shall use the expertise of the members and employees of the center for elimination of disproportionality and disparities.