About Us

Purpose and Priorities

1. Inventory of Workforce Diversity – In October of 2009, the Recruiting and Retaining Youth of Color taskforce published a report detailing the current demographics in health professions and analyzing ways to increase workforce diversity. To see the report, click here.

2. Parent and Family Involvement - Engage and educate parents and adult supporters of color about the academic process and the available resources for their children interested in health and environmental professions.

3. Youth Engagement - Engage youth of color in the K-20 system, local government entities, and non-profits throughout Colorado in programs that inform, educate, and prepare them for a profession or career in health and environmental sciences.

4. Policy Changes - Inform and engage decision makers to address and support policy and systems change that will promote the recruitment and retention of a diverse health and environment science workforce in Colorado.

5. Health Professional Support and Development - Provide continuous support and career development opportunities to cultivate leadership and advancement of health professionals of color at all levels.

Origins of the Task Force

When the Office of Health Disparities hosted its first Recruiting and Retaining Youth of Color in the Health Professions event on June 5, 2008, the purpose was to promote partnerships among the 100 participants representing community based organizations, academic institutions, and health organizations by linking existing efforts to coordinate approaches for recruiting and retaining youth of color in the health professions. The priorities for the luncheon were:

Provide the rationale for recruiting and retaining youth of color in the health professions.

Increase the awareness of the need for coordination of efforts within Colorado to recruit and retain youth of color in the health professions.

Identify partners to participate on a recruiting and retaining youth of color task force.

The task force's first charge was to develop a strategic plan that includes a vision, mission, goals and objectives to guide the work of the group. During the strategic planning sessions, participants conducted a stakeholder analysis and an environmental scan to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats of forming a recruiting and retaining youth of color task force.

Achievements of the Task Force

Health Professional Opportunity Day

This annual day-long free event gives middle and high school students the opportunity to learn about various health professions, participate in experiential health career activities and interact with health professionals and students from the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado School of Public Health and various other agencies, academic institutions, and organizations. Additionally, parents receive information on tangible steps to increase their child’s likelihood of higher education and careers in health professions.

Health Professional Opportunity Day 2010 Report

Youth Partnership for Health

This group of high school aged students serves as an advisory board to state agencies dealing with issues that affect youth. To learn more, click here for information on the Youth Partnership for Health.

Please contact us if you have any further questions