This summary synthesizes findings from a single research study, Racial disparities in assignment to alternative response.

Alternative response (AR) involves engaging and connecting families to community-based services. It is considered a more family-centered and strengths-based approach to child welfare practice than a traditional child protection investigation. AR also has been identified as a strategy for increasing equity in child welfare practice. This study examines the relationship between neglect allegations, poverty, and race on AR assignment.

The type of alleged maltreatment, child’s race, and family’s poverty status all had a significant effect on whether the family was assigned to AR or traditional investigation. The study found that:

The study’s authors recommend additional analysis to further understand these findings, including the inclusion of more comprehensive variables, such as the severity of neglect, reporting source, state and county variation, and neighborhood poverty.

AR is seen as a helpful strategy for connecting families to community-based services and increasing equity in child welfare practice. But this study highlights that families are not being equitably assigned to AR. If families of color with low-income status that are eligible for AR instead are being screened-in for a traditional child welfare investigation, opportunities to reduce disparity in service access, minimize child and family trauma, and connect families to critical resources are being missed. Consistent guidelines for applying AR, as well as strong community-based partnerships and services, are critical for ensuring all families have equitable access to supports.