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Carla Curtis, College of Social Work

Posted on | December 9, 2009 | 2,912 views |

What is African American children’s experience with the child welfare system?
If you look at the total population of children in the out-of-home care system — or children in foster care nationally — children of color are disproportionately represented. According to national statistics, in 2006 about 500,000 children were in the out-of-home care system at some time. African American children are more likely than white or Hispanic children to be placed in out-of-home care, and according to the US Government Accounting Office the disproportionality of African American children grows at every decision point in the child welfare process. African American children are more likely to be referred to child protective service agencies, and once referred, they are more likely to be removed from their home. Once removed from home, many African American children will languish in foster care, referred to as “foster care drift.” In general, children of color are disproportionately counted among those who are in need of permanent homes. African American children, once again, stand out. Of the 130,000 children nationally awaiting adoption, one-third are African American, yet approximately 12 percent of the general US population is African American.

No child should be denied the opportunity for a nurturing, healthy, safe environment in which to grow. When one considers the disparate experiences of children of color, there is a significant population of children who are removed from anything and everyone they know; some children may be placed with relatives while others may live for undetermined periods of time in homes or institutions with those to whom they have no relationship. It is difficult for a child to make sense of being removed from a home and surroundings with which they are familiar and to hear “this is in your best interest,” which in fact may be the case. But family disruption is difficult under the worst of circumstances, and unfortunately alternative placements may not always be in a child’s best interest.

Is anything being done now to help families stay together?
To date 20 major federal laws have been passed in response to problems faced by children and their families when a child must be temporarily removed from home. Despite performance requirements for states to improve permanent child placements, the system remains flawed. According to the Government Accounting Office, poverty, inadequate support services and racial bias impact the status of African American children in foster care. African Americans are four times more likely to live in poverty; families who live in poverty have more difficulty securing support services. A national study of child welfare directors found that bias, cultural misunderstanding and distrust between families and child welfare decision makers contributed to decisions to remove a child from their home. And yet there are supports in place that can improve the capacity of families to remain intact. Family preservation and family support services are available to states through federal funding but have been met with controversy over the years. Some argue problems facing families are too complex and difficult to address with limited resources. Some jurisdictions, to include Franklin County, are reconsidering the use of intervention programs to prevent the removal of children from homes. Research indicates jurisdictions may prefer to limit use of family preservation services for medically needy children. Federal law identifies “special needs” children as the appropriate target for family preservation and support services and African American children by law fall within the “special needs” category.

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