ARTICLE SUMMARY RACIAL BIAS
Dynamics that Contribute to Racial Disproportionality and Disparity Miller, K. M., Cahn K., Orellana, R. (2012). Dynamics that contribute to racial disproportionality and disparity: Perspectives from child welfare professionals, community partners, and families. Children and Youth Services Review, 34(11), 2201-2207. Retrieved from ScienceDirect database. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.07.022
Issue
Methology
Research has demonstrated that there is both racial disproportionality and disparity within the child welfare system, with Black, American Indian, and, in some states, Hispanic youth being most affected. Scholars have put forth two primary theoretical explanations for the racial disproportionality and disparities seen in child welfare: 1) increased prevalence of risk factors for families of color at the individual, family, and community levels; and 2) racial biases at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels. The present study explored the perspectives of child welfare and collaborating system decision-makers, community partners, and families with child welfare involvement to identify the dynamics that contribute to racial disproportionality and disparity in Oregon. Funded by the Oregon Commission on Children and Families and Casey Family Programs, data were collected as part of a larger mixed-methods study examining racial disproportionality and disparities in Oregon’s child welfare system. Researchers hosted 17 focus groups with over 100 racially, ethnically, culturally, professionally, and regionally diverse participants. Focus group facilitators presented brief findings of quantitative data regarding the extent of Oregon’s disproportionality and disparity and asked for participant’s reactions. They then explored participants’ perceptions of “the pathways children and families of color experience that are different from their White counterparts at the various decision points” and possible “action steps” to “change the pathways for children of color” (p. 2203). A constant comparison approach was used to analyze focus group data through a multi-step method to identify themes and the connections between them that contribute to racial disproportionality and disparity. Notably, the study team (i.e., researchers, analysts, focus group facilitators) was racially diverse, and each focus group included at least one facilitator of color.
Findings
The researchers identified seven primary themes describing participants’ perceptions of contributing factors to racial disproportionality and disparity in Oregon’s child welfare system. Poverty Many participants believed that poverty, more than race, accounts for racial disproportionality and disparity. Some suggested that families of color are more likely to live in poverty, associating poverty with elevated maltreatment risk. Lack of access to resources, and mandated reporters’ assumption that poverty means neglect were also noted as contributing factors. Lack of Trust Participants identified a lack of trust either in caseworkers or clients as impacting the relationship and leading to overrepresentation. Participants shared observations of communities of color not trusting governmental systems due to historical experiences and fear that parental rights will be terminated. Negative Perceptions of Clients’ Behaviors Participants shared that clients’ actions or responses to child welfare personnel are often negatively interpreted without allowing for context. One participant shared an example of a mother who was considered “uncooperative,” but, in reality, was busy taking multiple bus rides to get her kids to childcare and then herself to work (p. 2204). Both professionals and child welfare involved clients shared instances where interpretations of clients’ typically culturally accepted behaviors are deemed “angry or hostile” (p. 2204). Inability to Relate to Clients Participants across all racial groups shared that child welfare professionals and partners in Oregon are primarily White and are unable to relate to families of color and that decisions are influenced by whether or not mandated reporters and caseworkers perceive the families are “like me.”
RACIAL BIAS: The overrepresentation of certain racial and ethnic populations in the child welfare system when compared with their representation in the general population.
Findings
Raising Differing Expectations for Families of Color Participants with child welfare involvement suggested that families of color have to continually prove themselves by completing an ever-changing list of expectations and requirements, more so than their White peers. Holding onto the Past Participants shared that past problems (e.g., substance abuse, criminal justice involvement, child welfare involvement) are never truly left in the past, creating barriers to reunification, particularly for families of color. This creates placement barriers as well, with participants sharing frustration over current policies that can prevent a placement that is in the child’s best interest because the relative has, for example, a “20-year old marijuana conviction” (p. 2205). Lack of Family Engagement Participants noted the inability to engage families and extended families can lead to disparate outcomes. They noted that White families, more often than families of color, engage from the beginning of the case and have familial support throughout the case as “collaborators,” sometimes even attending court (p. 2205). However, participants of color involved in child welfare felt that if their families attended court, they might also be unfairly judged along with the parents. They also shared that having a White advocate can be beneficial in garnering more respect from the collaborating professionals.
Limitations
Implications
Importantly, as a qualitative study in one state, the results are not generalizable to the child welfare field atlarge. Time constraints and limited funding prevented the research team from conducting additional, more racially diverse focus groups in the state. The researchers noted that, due to the study’s funding source, participants might have censored their responses out of concerns for sharing opposing thoughts and views in focus groups with colleagues.
Participants urged that continued efforts be made to identify the connection between poverty and maltreatment as it pertains to racial disproportionality. They also shared that services for communities of color should be both financially accessible and culturally responsive. In an effort to increase awareness of biases, participants suggested supervision should explicitly include discussions around “racial and cultural responsiveness” (p. 2206). Finally, participants recommended increased diversity at each level of the workforce—from caseworkers to administrators—as well as cross-cultural relationship building between professionals and clients to reduce racial disproportionality and disparity.
RACIAL BIAS: The overrepresentation of certain racial and ethnic populations in the child welfare system when compared with their representation in the general population.