Refunding the Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities

The Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities (CEDD) identified and addressed institutional racism in Texas agencies from 2010 to 2018. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) established CEDD in 2010 to eliminate racial disparities in service delivery and health outcomes across the state. CEDD’s scope was expanded by SB 501 (2011) to investigate racial inequities across juvenile justice, child welfare, mental health, education, and health systems. In 2017, the 85th Legislature defunded CEDD, despite evidence of persistent racial disparities. This white paper tracks the legislative and operational history of the CEDD, highlighting inequalities that have continued unabated in the absence of an institutional equity stakeholder.