- Home
- » Systemwide
- » Cultural Competence
- » Disproportionality
- » Addressing Disproportionality Through Policy Change
Addressing Disproportionality Through Policy Change
Resources in this section explore child welfare strategies for addressing disproportionality and promoting system change efforts, including State and local examples.
ABA Policy and Report on Addressing Racial Disparities in the Child Welfare System
American Bar Association (2008)
Addresses the racial disparities in the child welfare system and presents recommendations for addressing the inequities.
Decision Points in Child Welfare: An Action Research Model to Address Disproportionality
Harris & Hackett
Children and Youth Services Review, 30(2), 2008.
View Abstract
Analyzes data collected in community-based focus groups that analyzed key decision points where racial disproportionality grew wider in child welfare. Findings include referral bias, poverty, racial disparities in the availability of services, and more.
Examining African American Fathers' Involvement in Permanency Planning: An Effort to Reduce Racial Disproportionality in the Child Welfare System
Coakley
Children and Youth Services Review, 30(4), 2008
View Abstract
Examines the extent to which African-American fathers' involvement in permanency planning influences children's placement outcomes using a secondary data analysis of 88 children's child welfare case records.
Family Group Decision Making: A Solution to Racial Disproportionality and Disparities in Child Welfare (PDF - 537 KB)
American Humane (2010)
Discusses how family group decision-making can help address disproportionality and disparities in child welfare.
Talking About Disparities: The Effect of Frame Choices on Support for Race-Based Policies (PDF - 190 KB)
FrameWorks Institute (2009)
Highlights findings from FrameWorks Institute's national experimental survey that examines the impact on support for race-oriented policies in health, education, early childhood, social welfare, and immigration.
Understanding and Addressing Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality in the Front End of the Child Welfare System
Osterling, D'Andrade, & Austin
Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 5 (1/2), 2008
View Abstract
Examines disproportionality in the child welfare system and interventions that may address it and improve processes.
State and local examples
Addressing Disproportionality of Minorities in the Iowa Child Welfare System (PDF - 21 KB)
Iowa Department of Human Services (2009)
Identifies Iowa's statewide plan to identify and approach disproportionality in its child welfare system.
Alaska Child Welfare Disproportionality Reduction Project, Western and Pacific Child Welfare Implementation Center Implementation Project Plan (PDF - 264 KB)
Western and Pacific Child Welfare Implementation Center (2009)
Describes a 4-year project designed to reduce the overrepresentation of Native American children involved in the child welfare system in Alaska.
And How Are the Children?: A Casey Family Programs' Annual Report
Casey Family Programs (2009)
Highlights strategies in child welfare that are making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families across the country, including permanency roundtables, differential response, and disproportionality reduction efforts.
Policy Actions to Reduce Racial Disproportionality and Disparities in Child Welfare: A Scan of Eleven States (PDF - 466 KB)
Alliance for Racial Equity in Child Welfare (2009)
Identifies 11 States that are directly addressing disproportionality and disparities through public policy measures and provides information about State-initiated legislative policy.