Poverty or Racism?: Determinants of Disproportionality and Disparity for African American/Black Children in Child Welfare

Abstract

For decades, the incessantly tethered over-involvement of African American/Black (AA/BL) families with the U.S. Child Welfare System (CWS) has been uniquely troubling. Child welfare researchers have asserted “poverty” over “racism” as the root determinant of the historical disproportionate overrepresentation of AA/BL children in CWS. This commentary explores the extent this assertion holds once an apples-to-apples comparison of poor AA/BL and WH children in the CWS is examined. Using 2018 and 2019 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems (NCANDS) Child File data, rates of disproportionality and disparity for AA/BL and White (WH) children receiving public assistance (PA) (2018: N = 333,640; 2019: N = 321,273) were computed at two CW decision points [disposition of maltreatment investigation and subsequent services administered]. Among these poor children, AA/BL were found to be disproportionately overrepresented and WH children underrepresented compared to their proportion of the U.S. child population at each decision point. AA/BL children were also found to be three times more likely to have their maltreatment substantiated and subsequently be placed in foster care compared to their WH counterparts. The issues of racial disproportionality and disparities still exists when comparing poor AA/BL to poor WH children, which suggests “racism” is operational at decision points in the U.S. CWS and should not be minimized or omitted as a consequential determinant.

Public Benefit Programs and Differential Associations With Child Maltreatment by Race and Ethnicity

“…Debate continues as to how much disparities in CPS involvement result from disparate risk (ie, appropriate need-based reporting) vs bias in reporting . To the extent that bias in CPS reporting or racism in CPS policies and practices exists, it could explain or have influenced our results.…”

Ending racial disproportionality in child welfare: A systematic review

“…These children of colour are disproportionately represented across the decision‐making continuum in child welfare (Ards et al, 2003; Briggs et al, 2022; Lu et al, 2004; Needell et al, 2003). Research suggests there are racial disparities and overrepresentation across all levels of child welfare, which also identifies the risk factor of racial biases within U.S. child welfare systems themselves (Cénat et al, 2021).…”

“…In FFY 2020, 357 057 child victims received post‐response services while 124 360 victims received foster care services (DHHS, 2022). Reports of maltreatment for African American and Black children are three times more likely to be substantiated compared to White children, which disproportionately increases the number of African American and Black children in foster care (Briggs et al, 2022). Evidence indicates that children of colour are more likely to be placed in foster care (Crofoot & Harris, 2012; Dettlaff et al, 2011; Kahn & Hansen, 2017; Maguire‐Jack et al, 2020) and less likely to succeed in family reunification (Wulczyn et al, 2007).…”

Poverty or Racism? A Re-Analysis of Briggs et al. 2022

“…Briggs et al (2022) is a recent effort to contribute to this debate. The Briggs et al article is positioned partly as a rebuttal to Barth et al (2022), which reviewed a number of studies using National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) data but was unable to find clear empirical evidence of differential treatment of Black children within the CPS system (i.e., higher substantiation or placement rates after a report).…”

“…The Briggs et al article is positioned partly as a rebuttal to Barth et al (2022), which reviewed a number of studies using National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) data but was unable to find clear empirical evidence of differential treatment of Black children within the CPS system (i.e., higher substantiation or placement rates after a report). Briggs et al quote Barth et al extensively, then present their own original analysis of NCANDS data that they assert “suggests ‘racism’ is operational at decision points in the U.S. child welfare system (CWS) and should not be minimized or omitted as a consequential determinant” (Briggs et al, 2022, p. 533).…”