ERIC ED411655: Protecting Children and Supporting Families.

36 Pages·1997·1.1 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
EC 305 847
ED 411 655
Wolf, Kathy Goetz, Ed.
AUTHOR
Protecting Children and Supporting Families.
TITLE
Family Resource Coalition, Chicago, IL.
INSTITUTION
1997-00-00
PUB DATE
35p.; Journal also called "FRCA Report."
NOTE
Family Resource Coalition of America (FRCA), 200 South
AVAILABLE FROM
Michigan Avenue, 16th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604.
-- Reports - Descriptive
Collected Works - Serials (022)
PUB TYPE
(141)
Family Resource Coalition Report; v16 n1-2 Spr-Sum 1997
JOURNAL CIT
MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
*Child Abuse; *Child Neglect; *Child Welfare; Community
DESCRIPTORS
Involvement; Cooperation; Decision Making; Family
Involvement; Family Needs; *Family Programs; Federal Aid;
Federal Programs; *Foster Care; Minority Group Children;
Parent Education; Prevention; Program Improvement; *State
Agencies
ABSTRACT
This serial "double issue" focuses on protecting children
and supporting families through greater collaboration between child welfare
services and family resource programs. The issue includes the featured
"Making the Media a Constructive Force in Child Welfare" (Kathy
articles:
(1)
Bonk), which discusses how the media and child welfare agencies can take
steps to present child welfare in a way that educates the public and draws
"Race and
needed attention to the pressing issues of child protection;
(2)
Child Welfare Service: Myths, Realities, and Next Steps" (Mark E. Courtney
and others), which addresses the poorer outcomes and fewer services provided
"Latino Families and Child Welfare" (Robert M.
for minority children;
(3)
"Putting Federal Dollars To Work for Family
Ortega and Ernest V. Nunez);
(4)
Preservation and Support" (Marc Mannes), which reviews the federal Family
Preservation and Support Service Program and presents case studies;
(5)
"Family Group Decision Making: An Internationally Replicated Alternative to
Foster Care" (Lina Cramer and Lisa Merkel-Hoguin), which describes a model
that fosters cooperation, collaboration, and communication between child
"The Organizational Culture of Child
welfare professionals and families;
(6)
"Neighbors Helping Neighbors To
Protective Services" (Paul Vincent);
(7)
Protect Children" (Chuck Abel and Carol R. Rickey), which highlights a
community partnership that reaches out to families who are isolated, to
"A Family-to-Family
parents in crisis, and to families under stress;
(8)
"On Being a Foster Parent:
Answer to Foster Care" (Julia DeLapp);
(9)
(10) "Promoting
Empowering Parents Is the Greatest Reward" (Cheryl Mays);
Child Safety: Advice from Parents Anonymous" (Teresa Rafael), which provides
four front-line practices that encourage successful family outcomes by
creating partnerships between practitioners and parents; and (11) "Preventing
Child Abuse: Healthy Families America" (Linda Turner), which describes a
program that prevents child abuse and neglect and enhances family functioning
by providing intensive parenting education and support services in families'
homes.
(CR)
SPRING/SUMMER 1997 Volume 16, Numbers I & 2
DOUBLE ISSUE
PRCITEc-r-I NIG CHI LID REM AN
SUPPORT! NIG FAM I LI ES
r.N
-
4
_1111111iiim
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ONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
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CENTER (ERIC)
his document has been reproduced as
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received from the person or organization
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Minor changes have been made to
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COALITION
Points of view or opinions stated in this
document do not necessarily represent
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
official OERI position or policy.
OF AMERICA
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
2
A
U
National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice
RCA wishes to thank first and foremost the parents
' and the staff of agencies and programs who con-
_
tributed to this publication. Many took the time to be
'nterviewed by Report staff; others wrote articles themselves.
Their efforts are especially valuable in light of their direct
experience working to improve systems to protect children
and support families. Their hard work and hope are what
generated the content for this issue, and for that FRCA
s_
extends its gratitude.
Thanks also to Maria Elena Orrego for her willingness to
be consulted during the process of planning this publication's
rE:a
content. Thanks to Terry Cross, Director of the National
Indian Child Welfare Association, for contributing material
TA
on tribal communities' innovations in implementing federal
funding.
This Report was made possible in part by the support of the
Mr:
Edna McConnell Clark Foundation. FRCA is grateful for
their support of this project and for their continued interest in
programs that strengthen families. This issue of FRCA Report was produced in part by the National Resource Center for Family Centered
Practice, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration on Children, Youth, and Families; Children's
Bureau; cooperative agreement number 90-CW-1084/01 under contract with the University of Iowa School of Social Work. The contents
of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the funders, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products,
or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Cover Photo
Hana
listen to them, what they're feeling."
ing, talking, doing things together. I
Like has been replicated in Hawaii as Healthy Start and across the mainland
Talo Tufaga is pictured with her daughter Paleni. Five years ago, after
United States as Healthy Families America (see story, this issue).
Tufaga gave birth to her third child, she began taking part in activities with a
This photo and others are part of a nationwide photo exhibit tour and
worker from the Hana Like Home Visitor Program.Through the program,
public education campaign, Pursuing the Dream:What Helps Children and
workers visit women in the hospital who have just given birth, and offer
Their Families Succeed.The campaign begins this fall with publication of a
home visits to those whose backgrounds and stress factors indicate they
photo book that shows community-based programs in action, and is a col-
might be at risk of abusing or neglecting their childrenincluding parents
laboration among FRCA, award-winning photographer Stephen Shames,
like Tufaga, who have not been involved with the child welfare system.
and Aperture Foundation. For information on how to get involved or bring
A former welfare recipient, she now is studying to be a draftsman and
the exhibit to your community, contact FRCA.
working part-time at PACT (Parents and Children Together) in Honolulu's
Kuhio ParkTerrace, the program that administers Hana Like."I changed the
Photo © 1997 Stephen Shames/Matrix
way I am raising my kids," says Tufaga."I spend more time with them read-
IF FICA REPORT
Executive Director,VIRGINIA L MASON
Family Resource Coalition of America is a membership, consulting,
and advocacy organization that has been advancing the movement
Editor; KATHY GOb I L WOLF
to strengthen and support families since 198 I .The family support
Assistant Editor; JACQUELINE LALLEY
movement and FRCA seek to strengthen and empower families
Consulting Editors, MARIA ELENA ORREGO,
and communities so that they can foster the optimal development
of children, youth, and adult family members. FRCA builds networks,
NILOFER AHSAN, and JULIA DELAPP
produces resources, advocates for public policy, provides consulting
Cover Photo, STEPHEN SHAMES
services, and gathers knowledge to help the family support move-
Art Director; LYNN PEARSON
ment grow. For information or to become a member; contact FRCA
at 200 S. Michigan Ave., 16th Floor; Chicago, IL 60604, 3 I 2/341-
Editorial Assistant, SHAMARA RILEY
0900, 312/341-936 I
(fax).
Reporter; JULIA DELAPP
Printer, BOOKLET PUBLISHING
3
The opinions expressed in the FRCA Report are those of the authors; the Report strives to include a variety of perspectives from the family support
field.
The FRCA Report is published quarterly in the public interest by the Family Resource Coalition of America, a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization. Membership in
the Coalition includes a subscription to the FRCA Report. Readers are encouraged to copy and share its content; we ask you to credit the Family
Resource Coalition
of America
Tabie c»f Contents
Introduction to the Issue
2
Frank Farrow
Child Welfare in the News: Coverage That Works
3
Kathy Bonk
Race and Child Welfare Services: Myths, Realities, and Next Steps
5
Mark E. Courtney, Richard P Barth, Jill Duerr Berrick, Devon Brooks, Barbara Needell, and Linda Park
Latino Families and Child Welfare
8
Robert M. Ortega and Ernest V Nunez
Practitioner Interview: Culture Is Key to Building Trust with Families
9
Putting Federal Dollars to Work for Family Preservation and Support
10
Marc Mannes
Santa Clara County, California
I I
Connecticut
13
Tribal Communities
14
I6
Family Group Decision Making:A Replicated Model that Puts Families in Charge
Lina Cramer and Lisa Merkel-Holguin
The Organizational Culture of Child Protective Services
19
Paul Vincent
Foundations Sponsor Two Community-Based Initiatives
21
A Parent's Perspective on Building Community Partnerships
22
Community Partnerships for Protecting Children
23
Chuck Abel and Carol R. Rickey
Family-to-Family Initiative
24
Julia DeLapp
On Being a Foster Parent
26
Cheryl Mays
Partnerships with Parents: Advice from Parents Anonymous
27
Teresa Rafael
Healthy Families America: Home Visits to Prevent Child Abuse Early
28
Linda Turner
Resource File
29
4
SPRING/SUMMER 1997 VOL 16, NOS. I & 2
FAMILY RESOURCE COALITION OF AMERICA REPORT
I
C
-Adren and Sup
pordnw FamMes
r-citeeen
The Grcm5n- FartnersE-n5
p 23,t-ween
ppr
NNW 1
Chh1dWe fare and Farra[y Su
An Introduction to the Issue
by Frank Farrow
ecently, a child protective services
the subsequent passage by every state of
and neglect. The exact ways in which wel-
worker described what was need-
new laws directed at reporting, investigat-
fare reform will affect child welfare are not
ed by the families with whom she ing, and treating child abuse and neglect, a
yet known, but at the very least, it will
protective services orientationwhich
works. She talked first about formal ser-
heighten stress in some of the most vulner-
emphasized removing the child from the
vices, particularly drug treatment programs
able families.
homedominated child welfare. For many
and mental health services. Then she added
Faced with these pressures, child welfare
something new. "You know," she said,
workers, the "child saving" mindset sepa-
leaders are seizing the opportunity to cre-
ate a better systema system that simulta-
"what I really wish we had is a dozen more
rated concern for the well-being of the
places like the family resource center
neously is more attentive to safety and rec-
down the street. They seem to get through
ognizes that for most families the path to
to families when no one else can!"
safety involves stronger family supports.
Ten years ago, few child welfare workers
The most interesting and promising new
even knew about family resource centers,
directions in child welfare are based on the
let alone saw them as important tools for
principles that have long undergirded
The goal is for child welfare
their own practice. For decades, public
family support: a focus on prevention,
child welfare agencies and the family sup-
recognition of family strengths and assets,
services and the family support
port movement existed side by side but
partnerships with neighborhoods and com-
with little interaction. Now, increasingly,
munities, and an alliance with the informal
movement to join forces
they find themselves working together
>supports (such as kinship networks and
to promote strong families and chil-
friends) that are families' first choice
more fully and to become
dren's healthy development. As with any
for help.
new relationship, however, the sailing is
complementary aspects of
Can We Create a Lasting
not always smooth. In states and commu-
Partnership?
nities across the country, people from pub-
a common field.
lic child welfare agencies and from family
The federal Family Preservation and
support programs are learning how to talk
Support Services Program, enacted in
with one another, how to respect each
spurred hundreds of new acquain-
1993,
other's perspectives, how to share respon-
tances between child welfare and family
sibilities, and eventually how to become
support programs. The challenge is to con-
partners in reality as well as in rhetoric.
vert these into lasting partnerships.
child from attention to the whole family
This issue of FRCA
highlights
The goal is for child welfare services and
Report
what many people are doing to bring child
and even pitted the two against each other.
the family support movement to join forces
welfare services and family support princi- This history differs radically from the
more fully and to become complementary
family resource movement's origins.
ples and practices closer together. To place
aspects of a common field. What families
these innovations in context, it is useful to Having emerged in the
and
need and communities want is a unified
1970s
1980s,
look both backward and forward. Why family support is a younger field. It has
system of community and neighborhood
have child welfare services and family
remained firmly rooted in the neighbor-
supports that is equally effective in pro-
resource programs been so distant from
hoods from which it developed, steadfastly
moting the healthy development of all fam-
one another, and what problems has that
committed to a family perspective, and less
ilies and in safeguarding the relatively
distance created? Looking ahead, what are centered on the role of the "professional."
few children whose families cannot care
the major opportunities for child welfare
The legalistic, often bureaucratic, and
for them.
agencies and family resource programs to
highly selective nature of child welfare ser-
The innovations highlighted in this issue
join together?
vices often alienated family support practi-
of FRCA
are steps toward that goal.
Report
tioners who were working to defend the
These and other efforts demonstrate that
iffferent Histories
merits of universally available services.
when child welfare and family support
F,)
The child welfare and family support
practitioners and policymakers join forces,
A Time of Transition and
fields have very different histories. Child families are the winners.
Opportunity
welfare services are based on strong feder-
Child welfare is now a field in flux,
al and state mandates that have accumulat-
Frank Farrow is a former member of the FRCA
ed over almost
affected by forces from within and without.
Board of Directors and is Director of Children's
years. Although child
70
Services Policy at the Center for the Study of
welfare started in the settlement houses of
Public child welfare agencies have been
Social Policy, 1250 Eye Street, Suite 503,
overwhelmed in the past decade by the
immigrant neighborhoods, it gradually has
Washington, DC 20005, 202/371-1565 (phone),
become a highly specialized form of pro-
increase in family poverty, the epidemic of
202/371-1472 (fax), ffarrow @cssp.org (e-mail).
crack/cocaine use in many cities, and a
fessional social work. With attention to the
100-percent increase in reports of abuse
and
"battered child" syndrome in the
1960s
5
2
VOL 16, NOS. I & 2
SPRING/SUMMER 1997
FAMILY RESOURCE COALITION OF AMERICA REPORT
cdve
Makklr, the moiled 52. a IC,D3nstru
ii-cDrce 5n ChfldWeffare
by Kathy Bonk
Research Shows Public's
tudies on the public's reaction to
one parent isn't
"covering up" in
child welfare in the media have
Common Sense
order to protect
turned up some surprising results:
Over the past two years, focus groups
Working with
the other parent.
Most media consumers said they do expect
and research projects have helped to show
Families
And before taking
government to take care of children and
public attitudes about child welfare agen-
Working with the
Media
any action, people
want to see action that makes children the
cies and children's services. The American
said, children's
priority. When asked to choose between
Public Welfare Association commissioned
services agencies
working to keep abused children safe in
Celinda Lake of Lake Research, a
should have
their own homes and removing them from
Democratic firm, and Vince Breglio of
"proof' that
those homes, they were uneasy with the
R/S/M, a Republican firm, to gauge the
abuse and/or
choice; many responded, "It depends."
attitudes of a representative cross-section
neglect is actually
Media coverage of child welfare can
of Americans on child abuse, child neglect,
occurring. The
and the crisis surrounding a child's death.
work to reinforce the public's common
public also
The report showed that:
sense regarding child protection, as it is
Resources to help educate the
expects agencies
evidenced above. But when sensational
public and the media about
to carefully moni-
People from all walks of life are con-
child welfare and other family
coverage becomes the norm, it can further
tor the situation to
available from
are
issues
cerned about and fear for the well-being
frustrate an already angry audience. When
ensure the child's
Communications Consortium
of those who cannot defend themselves.
a tragedy happens inside a child welfare
safety and to
Media Center (which publishes
People are aware of, but do not like to
agency, directors can either close all their
the guide pictured here) at
assess the fami-
talk about, specific cases of abuse and
doors and hope the stories go away (which
202/326-8700, and from FRCA
ly's progress in
neglect. Some described themselves as
at 312/341-0900.
rarely happens) or they can respond to the
resolving its prob-
"numb" to media coverage about child
press and public by holding themselves
lems. People are
abuse after countless tragedies. When
and the system accountable, taking action,
basically sympathetic to social workers and
pressed to discuss a particular instance
and making changes. Both the media and
the difficult decisions they must make.
with a disastrous outcome, many people
child welfare agencies can take steps to
When a tragedy does occur, the public
vent their strong frustration and anger
present child welfare in a way that edu-
wants accountability, action, and change.
over the outcome.
cates the public and draws needed attention
Upon hearing the term "child protective
The Media's Potential for
to the pressing issues of child protection.
services," very few people say they know
Change
much about it. They do say that the
Educating the Media
Better and more regular coverage of pos-
primary goal of these services is the safe-
"Now what is the difference between
itive reforms will require advocates for
ty of children, and that they do expect
child care and foster care?"
children and families, heads of child wel-
government to take care of kids and
This question, asked by a network news
fare agencies, and news editors to create
want to see action that makes children
correspondent before the Stand for Chil-
changes in their institutions.
the priority.
dren march held in 1996 in Washington,
First, advocacy organizations and others
Most people do not expect a 100-percent
who are working to improve the field of
D.C., illustrates some journalists' lack of
rate of success from the agency, but feel
child welfare need to realize that sending
understanding of child welfare issues.
it should be the goal. Cases involving
out an occasional press release and holding
Few journalists are foster parents, have
repeated abuse or in which the child is
a news conference now and then are no
ever been in the system as children, or returned to an abusive family and a
longer adequate means of rallying public
tragedy results, are the hardest to explain
have experienced the inner workings of
support. Good media coverage is a prized
to the public.
child welfare agencies directly. And many
possession. It can usually be achieved
who are assigned to cover child welfare are
through strategic planning, which entails
A more comprehensive study was done
frustrated by confidentiality rules that they
carefully crafting messages, cultivating
for the Public Children Services
perceive as helping to "cover up" mistakes
relationships with reporters on a story-by-
Association of Ohio by Triad Research
or negative parts of the system. When
story basis, examining polling and focus-
Group/Phyllis Dykes & Associates. This
unable to use interviews and photographs
group research to determine how best to
two-year project produced enlightening
of families and children who are in the sys-
frame the issues for the public, and prepar-
recommendations on communicating with
tem, many opt to cover killings and other
ing high-quality materials that contain
the public, based on public perceptions
sensational stories, often with the help of
accurate and up-to-date information. Most
about what agencies should do when
local police departments, who would rather
important, reporters are looking for inter-
children are at risk of abuse or neglect by
draw attention to the child welfare agency
esting ways to tell a story, and they need
their parents.
than to their own departments. Thus, the
help finding families who are willing to be
People believe that children's services
vicious circle continues and the public is
interviewed on camera or photographed.
agencies should thoroughly investigate any
more and more confused about the role and
A media strategy plan is similar to devel-
allegation of abuse and neglect. The public
effectiveness of children's services.
oping action plans regarding litigation or
wants and expects a full investigation in a
legislation: it requires a clear understand-
reasonable period of time to make sure that
3
VOL 16. NOS. I & 2
FAMILAESOURCE
COALITION OF AMERICA REPORT
SPRING/SUMMER 1997
June 1997, it featured thorough proceed-
ing of all of the necessary techniques and
behavior is inappropriate or intrusive.
ings of a child welfare discussion spon-
professionals that will be involved.
Families' participation in interviews does
Spokespeople need to be comfortable with
sored by the College's Fellows program.
put them at risk: children may be teased by
media interviews and make time in their
Another good source is an article in the
classmates, and parents might be confront-
schedules for building relationships with
November/December 1996 issue of
ed by co-workers and neighbors. The flip
individual reporters. Adequate resources,
side is that positive coverage can help
Columbia Journalism Review: "The
both time and money, need to be devoted
build public support, speed reform, and get
Lives We Would Like to Set Right:
to communications activities to achieve
the attention of policymakers and elected
Why Journalistic Outrage Is Not the Best
modest success.
officials.
Approach to the Child Welfare Story."
Second, child welfare agencies need to
Author Michael Shapiro says the media
Positive Change in Media
understand that the days of hiding behind
are missing the most important child
Coverage
confidentiality rules are just about over.
welfare stories by focusing solely on
State legislatures are asking tough ques-
child fatalities:
Fourth, the media themselves are institut-
tions and passing new laws, such as the
"To cover child welfare properly is to set
ing changes in the way they cover families,
Elisa Law in New York state, which pro-
aside your instinct as a journalist, the urge
children, child welfare agencies, and other
vide more options for the release of specif-
to find an overarching answer ... and to
local issues. At the top of the public's list
ic information about cases resulting in chil-
accept a more realistic goalthat of rais-
dren's deaths. And the media have new
ing a series of increasingly difficult ques-
and better ways of getting information
tions. Such questions might better illumi-
about cases and parents, such as investiga-
nate why for so long the state has had such
tive teams that can be deployed quickly to
a maddening time dealing with its failing
interview police, parents, teachers, neigh-
families
public debate closer
... [and] move
Better and more regular
bors, relatives and others. Computer-assist-
to the messy and individual realities of
ed reporting offers journalists a bounty of
these families."
coverage of positive reforms will
information right at their desks. Reporters
The good news is that media institutions
and editors understand that these are the
themselves are challenging reporters to do
require advocates for children
kinds of investigations that often win
>a better and more in-depth job covering
journalism prizes, such as the Pulitzer
the half-million children who are wait-
and families, heads of child
prize awarded to Gannett News Service
ing in the system. As "welfare-to-work"
a few years ago for disclosing that some
stories continue to command front-page
welfare agencies, and news
children's deaths that had been attributed
coverage, so too will stories of children
to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or
editors to create changes in
and their families in need of help and ser-
SIDS, were in reality caused by abuse and
vices. But public agencies will need to
their institutions.
neglect.
"earn" positive coverage, not just wait for
Too few child welfare agencies staff their
it to happen.
communications and public affairs offices
Media coverage of child welfare is likely
with professionals whose job it is to culti-
to continue to expand, and public percep-
vate relationships with reporters.
tions will follow. Agency directors need
Campaigns tend to be limited to those
not only to possess top management skills,
aimed at recruiting foster and adoptive par-
training in social work and child develop-
of concerns are promoting safety and stop-
ents. Instead, local media and pro bono
ment, and political savvy, but also to deal
ping violence in schools, in neighborhoods,
advertising firms could be involved in pre-
effectively with the media and the public
in homes, and on the streets. When child
venting abuse and neglect through public
in order to survive professionally and make
protective services are framed as programs
service campaigns, editorial endorsements,
systemic changes. The media, in order to
that promote safety and prevent violence,
and a commitment to civic journalism.
maintain their audience shares and reader-
the public and the media will listen and be
Agencies must make
ships, must seek those stories that have
supportive. However, if spokespeople talk
crisis management plans to employ during
meaning in people's lives. Children's ser-
about "risk assessment" and use social
and after a tragedy occurs, and pro-active
vices promise great stories about successes
work jargon, the public and the press will
plans to promote year-round media
and challenges, and people need to hear
tune out and look elsewhere for story ideas.
attention to prevention, family preserva-
them.
Most of cities' local media can be divid-
tion and reunification, foster care, and
ed into two camps: those who are selling
adoption programs.
Kathy Bonk is Executive Director of
violence ("if it bleeds, it leads") and those
Third, those working with families must
Communications Consortium Media Center, a
who are building audiences by promoting
help them to understand how to respond to
nonprofit organization that specializes in
solutions and things viewers can do to help
questions from reporters, especially now
developing communications strategies for poli-
("news you can use"). ABC World News
that media coverage is expanding. Families
cy change and reform. CCMC is located at
Tonight, for example, has a daily series
need to be told that they do not have to
1200 New York NW Ave., Washington, DC
called "Solutions," and the network heavi-
participate in interviews, and that if do
20005, 202/326-8700 (phone), 202/682-2154
ly promotes its philosophy in advertise-
they agree, they still have rights, which
(fax).
ments featuring Peter Jennings.
include the right to stop the interview at
One way to follow media trends in chil-
any time if they are uncomfortable.
dren's issues is to read The Children's
Advocates and agency staff alike have an
Beat, a newsletter published by the Casey
obligation to ensure that children and fami-
Journalism Center for Children and
lies are not exploited in the process of find-
Families at the College of Journalism at
ing a good story. Reporters, editors, and
7
the University of Maryland (available on
photographers should be challenged if their
the internet at www.casey.umd.edu). In
4
VOL 16, NOS. I & 2
FAMILY RESOURCE COALITION OF AMERICA REPORT
SPRING/SUMMER 1997
Race and Chn
WeUfa.re Servrices:
and INet Steps
yths,
Rea[15-tnes9
by Mark E. Courtney, Richard P. Barth, Jill Duerr Berrick, Devon Brooks, Barbara Needell, and Linda Park
care compared to their representation in the
of the processes that lead to the outcomes,
he subject of race looms large
overall population; they appear to spend
differences in service provision associated
in discussions of child welfare
longer time in care, and they are more like-
with race bear consideration.
services.' Any thorough assess-
ly to recidivate when they return home
ment of recent trends in child welfare pop-
The w,ig Picture--
from care than Caucasians. Finally, children
ulations (e.g., abused and neglected chil-
of color, particularly African American
and Some Surprising Findings
dren, children in family foster care,
children, are less likely to be adopted than
children awaiting adoption) must note the
The overall picture that emerges [from a
Caucasian children and there is some evi-
disproportionately large number of chil-
review of the literature] is that families and
dence that families of color have a more
dren of color. For example, a recent analy-
children of color experience poorer out-
difficult time having their adoptions legal-
sis of prevalence rates in five states with
comes and are provided fewer services
ized than Caucasian families.
large out-of-home care populations
than Caucasian families and children. For
This picture must be framed, however,
(California, Illinois, Michigan, New York,
most forms of child maltreatment, families
with the knowledge that
and Texas) found that the
the relationship among
proportion of African
race, ethnicity, and
American children ranged
child welfare services
from three times as high to
and outcomes is com-
over ten times as high as
plex. Though the
the proportion of
weight of evidence sup-
Caucasian children in
ports the conclusions
care. Similarly, in
reached here, in nearly
California and New York,
every area we reviewed
the point-in-time estimate
there was at least one
of African American chil-
study showing little or
dren in out-of-home care
no effect of race or eth-
in 1990 exceeded four per-
nicity. In most cases, to
cent of all African
the extent that a study
American children.'
allowed for distinctions
Government policy, such
among groups, the vari-
as the Indian Child
ous ethnic or racial
Welfare Act of 1978 (P.L.
groups of color experi-
95-608), reflects the strug-
enced different out-
gle over how best to pro-
comes relative to
vide culturally sensitive
Caucasians. In particu-
protective services to fam-
lar, differences were
ilies and children. The
most often greatest
variety of state and local
between African
policies concerning trans-
Young Soldiers of Righteousness provides constructive activities for youths who have been involved
Americans and
racial family foster care
in drug dealing, gangs, or other activities that have caused them to be labeled "bad kids."
Caucasians. Thus, it is
placement and adoption and
Technical and financial support were provided to the program through the federal Family
generally misleading to
Preservation and Support Services Program and were disseminated by Resources for Families and
the ongoing debate over
Communities (see story, page 15).
focus on differences
these policies are further
between Caucasian children and all other
evidence of deep conflict over how much,
of color are more likely to be the subject of
children, since the observed differences
and in what ways, race should be allowed
a child maltreatment report than Caucasian
often do not apply to all ethnic and racial
to influence the functioning of the child
families, and may be more likely to have a
groups.
welfare system.
report substantiated than Caucasians. The
Perhaps the most important finding of
We reviewed the research on child wel-
limited information on the effectiveness of
this review is that many of the observed
fare outcomes to gain a better understand-
current family preservation services sug-
differences in child welfare outcomes by
ing of the role that race plays in the provi-
gests that these services may be of limited
race or ethnicity reflect differences in the
sion of child welfare services and in
use to most families of color who come
economic and social well-being of children
outcomes. Most assessments of the relative
into contact with the child welfare system.
and families. Few of the studies we
"fairness" of the child welfare services sys-
Once in the system, families and children
reviewed attempted to account for such
tem are ultimately based on the end result
of color receive fewer child welfare ser-
variation, and many of those that did
of the system for clients. Although even a
vices than their Caucasian counterparts.
showed a reduced or nonexistent effect of
cursory review of the child welfare litera-
Some ethnic and racial groups are dispro-
race or ethnicity when social class was fac-
ture leads to the conclusion that there is
portionately represented in out-of-home
tored into the equation.
much more knowledge of outcomes than
FAMILY RESOURCE COALITION OF AMERICA REPORT SPRING/SUMMER 1997 VOL. 16, NOS. I & 2 5
Issues for Future Research,
ered to be beyond the responsibility of the
be doing justice to children and families of
PoOlcy, and Program
child welfare services system. This is to
color only when services and outcome are
say nothing, of course, of the impact of
equal among races. As illustrated above,
Development
societal discrimination in general on the
however, outcomes of child welfare ser-
It is clear that race and ethnicity should
ability of parents of color to rear their chil-
vices may partly be a function of any num-
be better acknowledged in future child
dren. From this point of view, the system is
ber of factors completely out of the control
welfare research. We encountered many
simply playing the best hand it can, given a
or influence of the child welfare services
studies in which these factors were not
deck that is stacked against certain clients.
system. Thus, it is one thing to say that
even mentioned, although the sample size
This point of view has the inherent dan-
collectively our social institutions have
and location of the study would have lent
ger of making child welfare practitioners
failed children of color and their families
themselves to such analysis. The failure or
collaborators in a process that can have
and that one result is an inequitable repre-
unwillingness to at least acknowledge the
enormous negative consequences for cer-
sentation of children of color in the child
relationships among race, child welfare
tain racial or ethnic groups in our society.
welfare system. It is quite another to state
services, and child welfare outcomes may
For example, does the extent to which
that any inequity of outcomes within the
only serve to invite uninformed speculation
some racial or ethnic groups in our society
system is prima facie evidence of a failure
about the reasons for these relationships.
suffer disproportionately from family
of the system itself.
Whenever possible, child welfare
breakdown and poverty really justify the
For example, for many outcomes of the
researchers should include race as an
fact that they are thereby more likely to
child welfare system we have identified
explanatory factor in research designs and
inequities that disfavor African
consider their theoretical justification
American children. At first, it is
for doing so (i.e., why does the
tempting to call this a pattern of dis-
researcher think that race might play
crimination. We must refrain from
a role?).
doing so, however, because evidence
Researchers, policymakers, and
about the needs of the children and
practitioners also should give more
families prior to service receipt can-
attention to the nexus of race, gender,
not be used to argue that these less
and social class as a factor in the
favorable outcomes result from worse
Our review
of the literature suggests
functioning of child welfare services.
child welfare services for African
Several studies indicate that the rela-
that families and children of color
American children than Caucasians
tionship between race and child wel-
rather than from worse initial cir-
fare cannot be separated from the
often receive fewer and inferior ser-
cumstances of African American
relationship between economic
families. Simply stated, we can-
deprivation and child welfare. In
vices compared to those provided for
not determine the fairness of the
addition, the relationships between
outcome without knowing the amount
Caucasian children and families who
race and single motherhood on the
of need at the outset.
one hand, and single motherhood and
What about the equity in service
have similar needs.
poverty on the other hand, further
provision? Should the same services
complicate attempts to understand the
be offered to all families regardless of
role of race in child welfare services
race or ethnicity? Are existing
and outcomes. In short, it is danger-
inequities in service provision proof
ous to consider the impact of one of
of a failure of the system to appropri-
these factors without accounting for
ately serve families and children of
the others.
color? We believe that services do not
One result of the observation that
have to be the same among varying
race, class, and gender are not independent
have their children taken away from them?
groups of families and children, because
is the tendency to excuse the child welfare
Do child welfare researchers, policymak-
these variationsincluding race and eth-
system for perceived inequities in child
ers, and practitioners believe that it is ethi-
nicityoften call for differing types and
welfare outcomes. This position holds that,
cally acceptable to be involved in "improv-
amounts of services. Indeed, calls for cul-
for instance, since African American chil-
ing" the efficacy of a system that takes
tural competence in the human services
dren are more likely to come from impov-
these children without simultaneously
emphasize the fact that one size seldom fits
erished, single-parent families than
being involved in remedying the problems
all. Nevertheless, our review of the litera-
Caucasian children, they will be overrepre-
that bring children into the system?
ture is troubling, since it suggests that fam-
sented in the system even if child welfare
Conversely, if child welfare practitioners
ilies and children of color often receive
services are provided in a completely equi-
do believe that the helping capacity of the
fewer and inferior services compared to
table manner. After all, poverty and single-
current child welfare system is severely
those provided for Caucasian children and
parenthood have been associated with
limited by this social context, in what ways
families who have similar needs. We can
higher rates of child maltreatment, and
might it influence their practice?
think of no justification for this relative
neglect in particular.' From this perspec-
The reality that the performance of child
lack of services to these populations.
tive, lowering the disproportionately high
welfare services cannot be assessed inde-
Inequitable outcomes, though of proper
number of African American children in
pendently of the larger societal context
concern to child welfare practitioners, may
out-of-home care (by alleviating poverty
complicates the evaluation of equity in ser-
be perceived as beyond their control:
and either reducing the number of single-
vice provision and outcomes. Some have
unjustifiable inequities in service provision
parent families or providing them with
argued' that the child welfare system will
are not.
needed supports, for example) is consid-
9
6 FAMILY RESOURCE COALITION OF AMERICA REPORT SPRING/SUMMER 1997 VOL. 16. NOS. I & 2
Next Steps in Research
among "clients" of the system and among
2GOERGE, KM., F. H WULCZYN, and A. HARDEN
( 1994) Foster care dynamics: California, Illinois, Michigan,
the clients with less desirable outcomes.
One of the most important, yet least
New York, and TexasA first-year report from the miltu-
Given this situation, it is the responsibility
developed, arenas of child welfare research
state foster care data archive. (Chicago, III.: University of
of everyone involved with the child wel-
concerns the evaluation of the role of race
Chicago Chapin Hall Center for Children.)
fare system to draw attention to the larger
and ethnicity in the efficacy of services. If
'JONES, E. D and K.. MCCURDY (1992) "The links
societal forces that contribute to pushing
one size does not fit all, then which sizes
between types of maltreatment and demographic
these children out of their homes. At the
fit whom? In many, if not most, child wel-
characteristics of children." Child Abuse and Neglect I6,
same time, the players in the child welfare
fare jurisdictions in this country, services
201-215.
system must seek to improve, through pro-
Pelton, L (1994) "Is poverty a key contributor to
continue to be provided primarily by
gram development and evaluation, the util-
child maltreatment?" In E. Gambrill and T. J. Steins (eds.)
Caucasian social workers to a clientele
(1994) Controversial issues in child welfare. (Needham
ity of the services they provide to families
largely made up of persons of color.
Heights, Mass.:Allyn and Bacon) 16-28.
and children of color.
A common belief holds that outcomes in
all aspects of child welfare would improve
'CHIPUNGU, S. S. (1991) "A value-based policy frame-
work." In J. E. Everett, S. S. Chipungu, and B. R. Leashore
if only there were more child welfare prac-
Mark E. Courtney, Ph. D., is Assistant
(eds.), Child welfare: An Africentric perspective. (New
titioners of color. Similarly, a variety of
Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press).
Professor, School of Social Work, and Affiliate,
service models exist that claim to be supe-
Institute for Research on Poverty, University of
rior to "traditional" services on the basis of
Wisconsin, Madison. Richard P. Barth, Ph.D.,
cultural appropriateness. Both of these
is Hutto Patterson Professor of Social Welfare,
assumptions appear to make sense,
but virtually no evaluation has been
conducted to produce empirical evi-
dence that supports them. It is our
impression that efforts to date to
implement same-race service provi-
sion and cultural competence, while
still relatively few, have outstripped
As long as children of color remain
the evaluation of such services. Since
we know little about their effects,
more likely than Caucasian children to
relying on increasing these character-
grow up in situations that put them at
istics within the child welfare sys-
tem as a basis for child welfare
increased risk of child abuse and
reform may not lead to substan-
tial improvements in services to
neglect, they will continue to be over-
children of color. (Increasing the
number of practitioners of color will,
represented in the system and among
of course, distribute more resources
to minority communities of color and
the clients with less desirable outcomes.
may over time help equalize child
welfare service needs and outcomes.)
To improve child welfare outcomes,
service models that claim greater effi-
cacy with persons of color should be
implemented and evaluated.
Randomized assignment of subjects
School of Social Welfare, University of
is often forsworn when such service pro-
California, Berkeley. Jill Duerr Berrick, Ph.D.,
grams are implemented because it would
is Director, Child Welfare Research Center,
result in some clients losing the opportuni-
School of Social Welfare, University of
ty to take advantage of the services.
California, Berkeley. Devon Brooks, M.S.W,
Nevertheless, given the multiplicity of pos-
and Barbara Needell, M.S.W, are doctoral
sible approaches to meeting the service
students, School of Social Welfare, University
needs of these populations, real differences
of California, Berkeley. Linda Park, M.S.W, is
a doctoral student, School of Social Work,
in program outcomes should be assessed
University of Wisconsin, Madison.
using rigorous evaluation designs. Only
then will it be possible to distinguish what
works for which populations.
References
Race will remain a central issue in
debates over the faults and failures of the
'With permission from the Child Welfare League of
child welfare system for the foreseeable
America, this article is adapted from: COURTNEY,
future. As long as children of color remain
M. E., R. P BARTH, J. D. BERRICK, D. BROOKS, B.
more likely than Caucasian children to
NEEDELL, AND L PARK (1996) "Race and child wel-
grow up in situations that put them at
fare services: Past research and future directions." Child
Welfare 75 (2) 99-135.
increased risk of child abuk and neglect,
they will continue to be overrepresented
I0
FAMILY RESOURCE COALITION OF AMERICA REPORT SPRING/SUMMER 1997 VOL 16, NOS. I & 2 7