Disproportionality is described as the proportion of racial minority children in child welfare in relation to their representation in the general population (Kokaliari, Roy, & Taylor, 2019; Hill, 2006). African American, Native American, and Hispanic continue to be overrepresented in the child welfare system (Miller, Cahn, & Orellana, 2012). There are known disparities in the treatment of these children in comparison to their white counterparts including longer stays in care, increased risk of re-victimization and placement stability, and less frequent placement permanency (Huggins-Hoyt, Briggs, Mowbray, & Allen, 2019).
Research suggests that race can impact decision-making among medical professionals to make a report as well as subsequent actions of child welfare workers in investigations (Miller et al., 2012). Miller et al. (2012) and Kokaliari et al. (2019) each suggest other areas that additionally impact decision-making, both highlighting lack of trust by families and the impact of poverty on family resources.
In New York State there is a disproportionality of minority children in care. Minority children make up a much higher percentage of children in care despite their overall percentage of the total population. (The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2019; NYS OCFS, 2019). Families who interact with the child welfare system need to know the factors that contribute to the ongoing issue of disproportionality for entering and remaining in care in order to be better prepared to collaborate with the system. By having an improved understanding parents may better navigate the process, reduce the length of time in care, and therefore reduce the trauma to the family and children. In addition, it may encourage more people to become foster parents in order to increase both available placements, including racially and culturally similar homes.
This infographic provides statistics regarding the number of racial minority children in foster care in 2018 and as it compares to their representation in the general population as well as frequency of being placed in similar racial/cultural homes to the family of origin. The graphic also illustrates how racial bias impacts minority children in care and makes broad recommendations to improve services. The graphic concludes with a website that provides data, recommendations and tools benefit children.
References
Hill, R. B. (2006). Synthesis of research on disproportionality in child welfare: An update. Retrieved from Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity in the Child Welfare System https://www.cssp.org/reform/child-welfare/other-resources/synthesis-of-research-on-disproportionality-robert-hill.pdf.
Huggins-Hoyt, K.Y., Briggs, H.E., Mowbray, O., Allen, J. L. (2019). Privatization, racial disproportionality and disparity in child welfare: Outcomes for foster children of color. Children and Youth Services Review, 99, 125-131.
Kokaliari, E.D., Roy, A.W., & Taylor, J. (2019). African American perspectives on racial disparity in child removals. Child Abuse & Neglect, 90, 139-148.
Miller, K.M., Cahn, K., & Orellana, E. R. (2012). Dynamics that contribute to racial disproportionality and disparity: Perspectives from child welfare professionals, community partners, and families. Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 2201-2207.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (2019). 2018 Monitoring and Analysis Profiles with Selected Trend Data: 2014-2018. Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Development/Bureau of Research, Evaluation and Performance Analysis. Retrieved from https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/reports/maps/counties/New%20York%20State.pdf [accessed 8 November 2019]
The Annie E. Casey Foundation Child Kids Count Data Center. (n.d.) Population by race in New York. Retrieved from https://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/103-child-population-by-race?loc=1&loct=2#detailed/2/34/false/37/68,67,12,66,72/423,424 [accessed 29 November 2019]
Catherine's Field of Ideas 