Diversity, Disproportionality and Anti-Racism

Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity in the Child Welfare System

Synthesis of Research on Disproportionality in Child Welfare: An Update
Author: Robert B. Hill, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, Westat

Executive Summary

The American public tunes in by the tens of millions to the latest reality show, one of which recently announced it would be choosing its "teams" for the upcoming season based on the race of the competitors involved.

In the meantime, the fact that nearly 60 percent of our nation's children who live in foster care are children of color goes largely unnoticed by most Americans. Yet these children, while under state-mandated care, suffer far worse outcomes-in terms of physical and mental health, educational performance, and access to basic services and resources-despite the hard evidence that parents of color are no more likely than white parents to abuse or neglect their children.

This brings us back to the always uneasy issue of race and the findings of this study.

The disproportionate representation of minority children in child welfare has been a major concern for decades. This paper summarizes current research findings on racial disproportionality (the number of minority children served versus the number occurring in the population) and disparities in treatment and services within the child welfare system, with a major focus on the differences between blacks and whites.

This paper explores recent patterns involving child maltreatment and disproportionality, the role race plays at various decision-making stages in child welfare, the extent of racially disparate treatment in child welfare, and how other social systems contribute to disproportionality in child welfare. Despite differences in the design and methodology of the studies under review, much consensus about disproportionality was revealed in this summary of the professional literature, especially among more recent studies. Most of the studies reviewed identified race as one of the primary determinants of decisions of child protective services at the stages of reporting, investigation, substantiation, placement, and exit from care. The only stage where no racial differences were identified was the stage of reentry into the child welfare system. Further research is necessary to extend our knowledge of the direct causes of disproportionality and disparate treatment, including tests of differing strategies to reduce this problem.

The hope for this research is that it serves as a starting point in talking about race and its impact on our nation's most vulnerable children. As America continues the dialogue about race, we must make sure our voices are heard on behalf of these children, whom we've pledged to care for, no matter the color of their skin. To learn more, or read the report in its entirety, click here.

A journey to help youth in care develop their racial and ethnic identity

Knowing Who You Are is a three-part curriculum for social workers and other adults and professionals in the child welfare system. Created with the direct collaboration of alumni of foster care, youth still in care, birth parents, and resource families, the curriculum helps child welfare professionals explore race and ethnicity, preparing them to support the healthy development of their constituent's racial and ethnic identity.

Part I: Video
Interviews and discussions with youth in care, alumni, birth parents, child welfare professionals, and resource families. An accompanying study guide provides questions to facilitate group discussion after viewing.
Watch video

Part II: E-learning
This free, online course develops a vocabulary for discussing race and ethnicity as a tool for identity development and for addressing racism and discrimination. It also illustrates ways of integrating knowledge and skills into day-to-day practice.
Access e-learning

Part III: In-person learning
Staff, youth in care, alumni, birth parents, and resource families all participate in these two-day events. In a highly interactive training, participants hone skills they've learned as they identify ways to integrate them into their daily child welfare practice. Contact Casey Family Programs for additional information.