Disproportionality and disparities in the child welfare system result primarily from institutional racism, and are systemic in nature. These disparities are also affected by poverty.
What is institutional racism?
We define institutional racism as race prejudice and power embedded into the culture of an organization and manifested through decisions and biases that lead to negative outcomes for individuals of color.
Institutional racism is not any one person’s fault, and it is not a consciously-enforced system of oppression. Instead, it is the result of fundamental inequalities embedded in every level of the child welfare system.
How does the child welfare system manifest institutional racism?
Inequalities are evident in the way in which the child welfare system scrutinizes poorer families more closely because they are assumed to be at higher risk for incidents of abuse and neglect.
The system also fails to pay sufficient attention to the importance of extended families and communities in caring for children. In many communities—and particularly in communities of color–care provided by relatives or closely-involved community members is a positive alternative to the foster care system.
An agenda for change
The child welfare system is complex, and many factors still need to be examined. It’s clear, however, that we need to eliminate policies that systematically and unfairly target children of color for removal from their families.
A look at change – Casey’s initiatives |