NCJ Number
237697
Date Published
January 2011
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This brief from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Youth addresses the problem of racial disproportionality in the child welfare system.
Abstract
This brief, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, is intended for use by administrators, program managers, and policymakers to address the problem of racial disproportionality in the child welfare system. The brief examines changes in policy and practice at specific decision points in the child welfare process that are aimed at reducing racial disproportionality in the child welfare system. The brief begins with a discussion on the prevalence of racial disproportionality, the overrepresentation of certain racial and ethnic groups in the child welfare system when compared with their representation in the general population. This is followed by a discussion of approaches that can be used to reduce racial disproportionality. These approaches include providing culturally appropriate prevention services and in-home services. Changes in practice and training that can also help reduce the racial disproportionality include training for mandated reporters and government staff, proper use of screening reports, and proper use of assessment tools. Child welfare practices that have been found to reduce racial disproportionality while providing services to families include the Family Preservation and Support Services program, differential response, informal kinship care, family group decisionmaking, and referrals to culturally competent service providers. The brief also examines the issue of permanency for children in out-of-home care, and promising practices for addressing disproportionality that can be used across all stages of the child welfare continuum. Table and references