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Reducing Racial Disparity and Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Programs

Scientific Ratings in this Topic
  • 1 Well-Supported by Research Evidence
  • 2 Supported by Research Evidence
  • 3 Promising Research Evidence
  • 4 Evidence Fails to Demonstrate Effect
  • 5 Concerning Practice
  • NR Not able to be Rated

Topic Areas

Topic Areas

Definition

Reducing Racial Disparity and Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Programs are defined by the CEBC as interventions to address disparities in the child welfare services received by minorities and/or the disproportionate representation of ethnic minorities in the child welfare system. This topic area highlights programs that propose replicable strategies for reducing disparities and disproportionality. Qualifying programs work to reduce disparity and/or disproportionality at various stages in the child welfare system: screening for child abuse and neglect; investigation of allegations; service provision to families, children, and adolescents (Note: Many states offer an alternative response process where lower risk cases receive a more supportive, service-oriented, and strengths-focused approach, please click here for more information about these types of programs.); out-of-family placement in foster care; adoption; and reunification. It should be noted that there is some discussion in the child welfare field regarding whether the disproportionate entrance of ethnic minorities into the child welfare system is appropriate and reflects higher maltreatment rates in some minority communities, or whether the differences reflect biases within the child welfare system, or other societal factors such as poverty and income inequality.

  • Target population: Minority children and families involved in the child welfare system
  • Services/types that fit: Services include those that may focus at the individual level and address specific family needs or focus at the system level through education of caseworkers and changes in child welfare policies and practices
  • Delivered by: Child welfare workers or trained professionals
  • In order to be included: Program must specifically target the reduction of disparities and/or disproportionality in the child welfare system either in general or for a specific case
  • In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that demonstrates reduced race/ethnic disparities or disproportionality in at least one stage in the child welfare process (e.g., screening, investigation, services, etc.).

Definition

Reducing Racial Disparity and Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Programs are defined by the CEBC as interventions to address disparities in the child welfare services received by minorities and/or the disproportionate representation of ethnic minorities in the child welfare system. This topic area highlights programs that propose replicable strategies for reducing disparities and disproportionality. Qualifying programs work to reduce disparity and/or disproportionality at various stages in the child welfare system: screening for child abuse and neglect; investigation of allegations; service provision to families, children, and adolescents (Note: Many states offer an alternative response process where lower risk cases receive a more supportive, service-oriented, and strengths-focused approach, please click here for more information about these types of programs.); out-of-family placement in foster care; adoption; and reunification. It should be noted that there is some discussion in the child welfare field regarding whether the disproportionate entrance of ethnic minorities into the child welfare system is appropriate and reflects higher maltreatment rates in some minority communities, or whether the differences reflect biases within the child welfare system, or other societal factors such as poverty and income inequality.

  • Target population: Minority children and families involved in the child welfare system
  • Services/types that fit: Services include those that may focus at the individual level and address specific family needs or focus at the system level through education of caseworkers and changes in child welfare policies and practices
  • Delivered by: Child welfare workers or trained professionals
  • In order to be included: Program must specifically target the reduction of disparities and/or disproportionality in the child welfare system either in general or for a specific case
  • In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that demonstrates reduced race/ethnic disparities or disproportionality in at least one stage in the child welfare process (e.g., screening, investigation, services, etc.).

Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?

The Reducing Racial Disparity and Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Programs topic area is relevant to child welfare because of the overrepresentation of minority groups in the child welfare system. While nationally the prevalence of this issue may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, the problem exists to some degree everywhere. Such a predicament has left child welfare administrators, program managers, and policy makers grappling with how best to implement strategies to significantly address the underlying issues and reduce this occurrence in their organizations. The importance of implementing and sharing successful strategies that counter racial bias and disparate treatment in our child welfare system is critical in assuring that all families are treated in a fair and equitable manner through each encounter point in the investigative and case management process. It is equally important that culturally appropriate interventions be identified, available, and offered to families of color that promote child safety, permanency, and family resiliency and well-being.

Marilynne Garrison
Community-Based Support Division
https://dcfs.lacounty.gov/
Los Angeles, CA

Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?

The Reducing Racial Disparity and Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Programs topic area is relevant to child welfare because of the overrepresentation of minority groups in the child welfare system. While nationally the prevalence of this issue may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, the problem exists to some degree everywhere. Such a predicament has left child welfare administrators, program managers, and policy makers grappling with how best to implement strategies to significantly address the underlying issues and reduce this occurrence in their organizations. The importance of implementing and sharing successful strategies that counter racial bias and disparate treatment in our child welfare system is critical in assuring that all families are treated in a fair and equitable manner through each encounter point in the investigative and case management process. It is equally important that culturally appropriate interventions be identified, available, and offered to families of color that promote child safety, permanency, and family resiliency and well-being.

Marilynne Garrison
Community-Based Support Division
https://dcfs.lacounty.gov/
Los Angeles, CA

Topic Expert

The Reducing Racial Disparity and Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Programs topic area was one of new topic areas launched in 2013. Lonnie R. Snowden, PhD was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date in 2013 or earlier (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC). In 2023, the topic area was rereviewed and expanded. All of the programs in the Reducing Racial Disparity and Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Programs topic area added since 2013 were identified by CEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. Snowden was not involved in identifying or rating them.

Topic Expert

The Reducing Racial Disparity and Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Programs topic area was one of new topic areas launched in 2013. Lonnie R. Snowden, PhD was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date in 2013 or earlier (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC). In 2023, the topic area was rereviewed and expanded. All of the programs in the Reducing Racial Disparity and Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Programs topic area added since 2013 were identified by CEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. Snowden was not involved in identifying or rating them.

Programs

Family Assessment Response

Family Assessment Response (FAR) [originally named Alternative Response] ensures children's safety and family stability by building on families' strengths and responding to individual needs.

The FAR is one of two responses for an accepted child maltreatment report as part of the Minnesota Child Protection Response Continuum. FAR falls in the middle of this continuum. The other response for an accepted child maltreatment report is the Family Investigation Response which is for more serious reports of child maltreatment (e.g., sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, child endangerment) and is on one end of the continuum. The Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP) is a statewide voluntary early intervention outreach offer of supports and services to families at risk of future child protection involvement (no accepted report yet) and is on the other end of the continuum.

Scientific Rating 3

Family Group Decision Making

FDGM is an innovative approach that positions the "family group" as leaders in decision making about their children's safety, permanency, and well-being. Children and their parents are nested in a broader family group: those people to whom they are connected through kinship and other relationships. Agency decision-making practices that are planned and dominated by professionals and focused narrowly on children and parents can deprive those children and parents of the support and assistance of their family group – and can deprive agencies of key partners in the child welfare process. FGDM recognizes the importance of involving family groups in decision making about children who need protection or care, and it can be initiated by child welfare agencies whenever a critical decision about a child is required. In FGDM processes, a trained coordinator who is independent of the case brings together the family group and the agency personnel to create and carry out a plan to safeguard children and other family members. FGDM processes position the family group to lead decision making, and the statutory authorities agree to support family group plans that adequately address agency concerns. The statutory authorities also organize service providers from governmental and non-governmental agencies to access resources for implementing the plans. FGDM processes are not conflict-resolution approaches, therapeutic interventions or forums for ratifying professionally crafted decisions. Rather, FGDM processes actively seek the collaboration and leadership of family groups in crafting and implementing plans that support the safety, permanency and well-being of their children.

Scientific Rating 3

Preliminary Protective Hearing Benchcard

Intended for use during initial juvenile dependency hearings, the Courts Catalyzing Change Preliminary Protective Hearing (PPH) Benchcard asks judges to reflect on the decision-making process to identify and attempt to minimize institutional bias and to consider some key inquiries, analyses, and decisions relating to removal, placement, and services. The PPH Benchcard is built around two types of inquiry: internal and external. The internal inquiry is set forth in a self-reflection section containing questions designed to help judges examine potential biases at play that may affect their decisions. The external inquiry considers due process related questions and considerations as well as the actual judicial inquiry of the hearing participants related to specific salient issues that should be determined at the preliminary protective hearing. Before they first use the PPH Benchcard, judges and other stakeholders participate in a training focused on implicit bias and structural and institutional racism.

Scientific Rating 3

Structured Decision Making

SDM is a comprehensive case management system for Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS workers employ objective assessment procedures at major case decision points from intake to reunification to improve child welfare decision-making. SDM targets agency services to children and families at high risk of future child welfare system involvement and helps ensure that service plans reflect the strengths and needs of families. When effectively implemented, it increases the consistency and validity of case decisions, reduces subsequent child maltreatment, and expedites permanency. The assessments from the model also provide data that help agency managers monitor, plan, and evaluate service delivery operations..

Scientific Rating 3

Cultural Broker Family Advocate Program

The Cultural Broker Family Advocate Program is designed to raise and address concerns related to disproportionality and disparities that exist in the child welfare system, as well as concerns that involve issues of fairness and equity. Its mission is "Supporting the Power of Families to Strengthen Communities." The core belief that drives the work is that every family regardless of race, ethnic background, or economic status will be empowered to develop their own strengths and capacities. The Cultural Broker Family Advocate Program provides brokering, advocacy, and support to families who are involved or who are at risk of involvement with the child welfare system. The Cultural Broker Family Advocate Program uses the model approach, Cultural Broker Paraprofessional; An Agency and Community Partnership©, with child welfare agencies to ensure that their practice approaches with families from diverse populations are culturally congruent and specific to their unmet needs. Through partnerships the program has developed with the community and the child welfare agency, cultural interpretations are provided to decrease the likelihood of cultural misunderstandings.

Scientific Rating NR

Family Finding

The Family Finding model establishes a lifetime network of support for children and youth who are disconnected or at risk of disconnection through placement outside of their home and community. The process identifies family members and other supportive adults, estranged from or unknown to the child, especially those who are willing to become permanent connections for him/her. The program also keeps contact with the youth on a weekly basis who are provided with an update on progress, assessed for support and safety needs, and consulted about key decisions where appropriate.

Upon completion of the process, youth have a range of commitments from adults who are able to provide permanency, sustainable relationships within a kinship system, and support in the transition to adulthood and beyond. Keeping safety at the forefront and using a family-driven process, families are empowered to formulate highly realistic and sustainable plans to meet the long-term needs of children and youth. Child outcomes may include increased reunification rates, improved well-being, greater placement stability, transition out of the child welfare system, decreased re-entry rates, and stronger sense of belonging for children.

Scientific Rating NR

Minnesota Parent Mentor Program

Minnesota Parent Mentor Program (MPMP) provides support for parents involved in the Child Protection System by helping them navigate their way through what can be an overwhelming and challenging process. A Parent Mentor will work with parents for the duration of their cases with child welfare and child protection--which can range from six months to more than a year--and help them remain connected with services afterward. Due to their firsthand experience, Parent Mentors can walk parents through every step to reunification or the best possible outcome for their family. As parents pursue reunification with their children, the program’s goal is to assist them in learning and applying effective parenting skills to maintain their reunification. By having parent mentors from the same geographic and cultural area as the parents, the MPMP is designed to be intentional about increasing racial equity in the child welfare system in addition to improving the quality of life for the families they serve.

Scientific Rating NR

Minority Youth and Family Initiative for African-Americans

MYFI in Polk County, Iowa, aims to reduce the proportion of African-American children in the child welfare system. Public child welfare staff addresses needs and concerns of African-American families and engages them as team members from the beginning of the case by utilizing Pre- and Post-Removal Family Conferencing and Family Team Meetings (facilitated by African-American workers). Parent Partners (alumni of the child welfare system) serve as guides and advocates for child welfare involved families. Culturally competent services, resources and support for families, training for staff, and flexible dollars used to meet family needs are also important elements of the program.

Scientific Rating NR

Minority Youth and Family Initiative for American Indian/Alaskan Native Children

Through culturally competent practice approaches consistent with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the utilization of American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) staff, flexible support funds, and community resources, MYFI decreases entry of AI/AN children into the child welfare system and increases reunification with their family of origin, transfer to tribal jurisdiction, and/or placement within relative or tribal networks.

Scientific Rating NR

Undoing Racism®

Undoing Racism® is presented in a community organizing workshop where through dialogue, reflection, role-playing, strategic planning and presentations, participants are challenged to analyze the structures of power and privilege that hinder social equity and prepares them to be effective organizers for justice. The following are examples of what Undoing Racism® helps participants to do:

  • Develop a common definition of racism and an understanding of its different forms: individual, institutional, linguistic, and cultural
  • Develop a common language and analysis for examining racism in the United States
  • Understand why people are poor and the role of institutions in exacerbating institutional racism, particularly for people and communities of color
  • Understand how everyone, including white people, is adversely impacted by racism every day, everywhere
  • Develop awareness and understanding about ways to begin undoing racism
  • Understand the role of community organizing and building effective multiracial coalitions as a means for undoing racism

Scientific Rating NR

Programs

Family Assessment Response

Family Assessment Response (FAR) [originally named Alternative Response] ensures children's safety and family stability by building on families' strengths and responding to individual needs.

The FAR is one of two responses for an accepted child maltreatment report as part of the Minnesota Child Protection Response Continuum. FAR falls in the middle of this continuum. The other response for an accepted child maltreatment report is the Family Investigation Response which is for more serious reports of child maltreatment (e.g., sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, child endangerment) and is on one end of the continuum. The Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP) is a statewide voluntary early intervention outreach offer of supports and services to families at risk of future child protection involvement (no accepted report yet) and is on the other end of the continuum.

Scientific Rating 3

Family Group Decision Making

FDGM is an innovative approach that positions the "family group" as leaders in decision making about their children's safety, permanency, and well-being. Children and their parents are nested in a broader family group: those people to whom they are connected through kinship and other relationships. Agency decision-making practices that are planned and dominated by professionals and focused narrowly on children and parents can deprive those children and parents of the support and assistance of their family group – and can deprive agencies of key partners in the child welfare process. FGDM recognizes the importance of involving family groups in decision making about children who need protection or care, and it can be initiated by child welfare agencies whenever a critical decision about a child is required. In FGDM processes, a trained coordinator who is independent of the case brings together the family group and the agency personnel to create and carry out a plan to safeguard children and other family members. FGDM processes position the family group to lead decision making, and the statutory authorities agree to support family group plans that adequately address agency concerns. The statutory authorities also organize service providers from governmental and non-governmental agencies to access resources for implementing the plans. FGDM processes are not conflict-resolution approaches, therapeutic interventions or forums for ratifying professionally crafted decisions. Rather, FGDM processes actively seek the collaboration and leadership of family groups in crafting and implementing plans that support the safety, permanency and well-being of their children.

Scientific Rating 3

Preliminary Protective Hearing Benchcard

Intended for use during initial juvenile dependency hearings, the Courts Catalyzing Change Preliminary Protective Hearing (PPH) Benchcard asks judges to reflect on the decision-making process to identify and attempt to minimize institutional bias and to consider some key inquiries, analyses, and decisions relating to removal, placement, and services. The PPH Benchcard is built around two types of inquiry: internal and external. The internal inquiry is set forth in a self-reflection section containing questions designed to help judges examine potential biases at play that may affect their decisions. The external inquiry considers due process related questions and considerations as well as the actual judicial inquiry of the hearing participants related to specific salient issues that should be determined at the preliminary protective hearing. Before they first use the PPH Benchcard, judges and other stakeholders participate in a training focused on implicit bias and structural and institutional racism.

Scientific Rating 3

Structured Decision Making

SDM is a comprehensive case management system for Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS workers employ objective assessment procedures at major case decision points from intake to reunification to improve child welfare decision-making. SDM targets agency services to children and families at high risk of future child welfare system involvement and helps ensure that service plans reflect the strengths and needs of families. When effectively implemented, it increases the consistency and validity of case decisions, reduces subsequent child maltreatment, and expedites permanency. The assessments from the model also provide data that help agency managers monitor, plan, and evaluate service delivery operations..

Scientific Rating 3

Cultural Broker Family Advocate Program

The Cultural Broker Family Advocate Program is designed to raise and address concerns related to disproportionality and disparities that exist in the child welfare system, as well as concerns that involve issues of fairness and equity. Its mission is "Supporting the Power of Families to Strengthen Communities." The core belief that drives the work is that every family regardless of race, ethnic background, or economic status will be empowered to develop their own strengths and capacities. The Cultural Broker Family Advocate Program provides brokering, advocacy, and support to families who are involved or who are at risk of involvement with the child welfare system. The Cultural Broker Family Advocate Program uses the model approach, Cultural Broker Paraprofessional; An Agency and Community Partnership©, with child welfare agencies to ensure that their practice approaches with families from diverse populations are culturally congruent and specific to their unmet needs. Through partnerships the program has developed with the community and the child welfare agency, cultural interpretations are provided to decrease the likelihood of cultural misunderstandings.

Scientific Rating NR

Family Finding

The Family Finding model establishes a lifetime network of support for children and youth who are disconnected or at risk of disconnection through placement outside of their home and community. The process identifies family members and other supportive adults, estranged from or unknown to the child, especially those who are willing to become permanent connections for him/her. The program also keeps contact with the youth on a weekly basis who are provided with an update on progress, assessed for support and safety needs, and consulted about key decisions where appropriate.

Upon completion of the process, youth have a range of commitments from adults who are able to provide permanency, sustainable relationships within a kinship system, and support in the transition to adulthood and beyond. Keeping safety at the forefront and using a family-driven process, families are empowered to formulate highly realistic and sustainable plans to meet the long-term needs of children and youth. Child outcomes may include increased reunification rates, improved well-being, greater placement stability, transition out of the child welfare system, decreased re-entry rates, and stronger sense of belonging for children.

Scientific Rating NR

Minnesota Parent Mentor Program

Minnesota Parent Mentor Program (MPMP) provides support for parents involved in the Child Protection System by helping them navigate their way through what can be an overwhelming and challenging process. A Parent Mentor will work with parents for the duration of their cases with child welfare and child protection--which can range from six months to more than a year--and help them remain connected with services afterward. Due to their firsthand experience, Parent Mentors can walk parents through every step to reunification or the best possible outcome for their family. As parents pursue reunification with their children, the program’s goal is to assist them in learning and applying effective parenting skills to maintain their reunification. By having parent mentors from the same geographic and cultural area as the parents, the MPMP is designed to be intentional about increasing racial equity in the child welfare system in addition to improving the quality of life for the families they serve.

Scientific Rating NR

Minority Youth and Family Initiative for African-Americans

MYFI in Polk County, Iowa, aims to reduce the proportion of African-American children in the child welfare system. Public child welfare staff addresses needs and concerns of African-American families and engages them as team members from the beginning of the case by utilizing Pre- and Post-Removal Family Conferencing and Family Team Meetings (facilitated by African-American workers). Parent Partners (alumni of the child welfare system) serve as guides and advocates for child welfare involved families. Culturally competent services, resources and support for families, training for staff, and flexible dollars used to meet family needs are also important elements of the program.

Scientific Rating NR

Minority Youth and Family Initiative for American Indian/Alaskan Native Children

Through culturally competent practice approaches consistent with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the utilization of American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) staff, flexible support funds, and community resources, MYFI decreases entry of AI/AN children into the child welfare system and increases reunification with their family of origin, transfer to tribal jurisdiction, and/or placement within relative or tribal networks.

Scientific Rating NR

Undoing Racism®

Undoing Racism® is presented in a community organizing workshop where through dialogue, reflection, role-playing, strategic planning and presentations, participants are challenged to analyze the structures of power and privilege that hinder social equity and prepares them to be effective organizers for justice. The following are examples of what Undoing Racism® helps participants to do:

  • Develop a common definition of racism and an understanding of its different forms: individual, institutional, linguistic, and cultural
  • Develop a common language and analysis for examining racism in the United States
  • Understand why people are poor and the role of institutions in exacerbating institutional racism, particularly for people and communities of color
  • Understand how everyone, including white people, is adversely impacted by racism every day, everywhere
  • Develop awareness and understanding about ways to begin undoing racism
  • Understand the role of community organizing and building effective multiracial coalitions as a means for undoing racism

Scientific Rating NR