Disproportionate representation, also referred to as disproportionality, refers to a situation in which a particular racial or ethnic group of children are represented in foster care at a higher or lower percentage than their representation in the general population.
One of the more disturbing realities of foster care is that a disproportionately high number of children of color enter foster care, they receive fewer services while in care, and they reach adulthood less prepared than their Caucasian peers. Overall, most children enter foster care because they are unable to live with their birth parents either temporarily or permanently, often because of abuse and neglect. It has been documented that race is not a factor in the likelihood a parent will abuse or neglect a child, and yet a child of color is statistically much more likely to be removed from the home.
Research also indicates that children of color receive inferior treatment once they come to the attention of child protective services and, while in care, they fare worse than other children. They are less likely to receive services in their home and more likely to be removed from their parents and placed in foster care. Once in care, children of color experience a greater number of placements and moves, receive fewer support services, have less contact with case workers, stay in the system longer, and are less likely to be adopted or reunited with their families when compared to white children. Furthermore, upon leaving foster care, they are less skilled and prepared for adulthood. For example, a higher percentage of youth of color leave foster care without a high school diploma.
Disproportionality is an indicator that the child welfare system is not functioning fairly or equitably, and it is a problem we can ignore no longer. Our overarching objective must be to ensure that every child and family, regardless of race, culture or ethnicity, receive the best and most appropriate support at each and every encounter in the system. By focusing on improving the well-being of children and families of color, we have an opportunity to create a more fair and equitable system of care for all children and families and to substantially reduce the need for foster care in the generations ahead.
Casey Family Programs is dedicated to improving opportunities and outcomes for children of color. By promoting practices and policies that address disparities, we hope to create a more equitable, culturally sensitive foster care system. Below are some examples of our work to address disproportionality.
Casey Alliance for Racial Equity
The five Casey sister organizations – Casey Family Programs, The Annie E, Casey Foundation, Casey Family Services, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative and the Marguerite Casey Foundation – are developing and implementing a multi-year, national campaign that focuses on reducing the disproportionate number of youth of color in foster care and improving their outcomes.
Systems Improvement
Casey Family Programs is working collaboratively with the states of Texas and Wyoming to address disproportionality. Casey is working with the state child welfare agencies in both states to develop a comprehensive action plan, with measurable goals, that will be implemented throughout their systems. Plans are underway to do the same in the states of Alaska and Washington, eventually working with all the states where Casey Family Programs is located. The ultimate goal is that every state in the country will have a plan in place that outlines doable and realistic solutions; a plan that is being implemented and produces positive results.
Direct Services
Staff in our nine field offices, where we provide an array of foster care services directly to children, youth and young adults, have put measures in place and are monitoring how they do their work and make decisions. This helps to ensure that we, in our practice, serve all youth in an equitable manner and that any discrepancy trends come to our attention immediately for swift address and corrective action. Improved outcomes we strive for in our field offices include shorter lengths of stay and fewer placements for children of color, more youth of color reunited with their families or adopted, and more youth of color graduating from high school. Several of our field offices also are working with a cross section of child welfare and family support agencies, organizations and administrators in their local jurisdictions to improve the lives of children of color in foster care.
Men of Integrity
Men of Integrity is an annual educational and development program for male youth of color in Casey Family Programs’ care. This is an opportunity for these young men to address the challenges they face as males, males of color and males of color in foster care. Discussions and workshops focus on the kinds of skills necessary to remedy disparity in outcomes in a way that is thought provoking and that gives them a framework for working with their social workers to address issues and identify strategies and interventions to create options and opportunities to improve their outcomes, their futures and their lives. A similar program is being developed for young women of color in Casey’s care.