Children's Services
Practice
For North Carolina's Child Welfare Workers
From the NC Division of Social Services and the Family and Children's Resource Program
Volume 6, Number 2 • May 2001
Children's Services Practice Notes is a news¬
letter for North Carolina's child welfare work¬
ers produced four times a year by the North
Carolina Division of Social Services and the
N.C. Family and Children's Resource Program,
part of the Jordan Institute for Families and
the School of Social Work at the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In summarizing recent research, we try to give
you new ideas for refining your practice. How¬
ever, this publication is not intended to replace
child welfare training, regular supervision, or peer
consultation-— only to enhance them.
Let us hear from you!
If you would like to comment about something
that appears in this or any other issue of
Children's Services Practice Notes, please do
so! Address your comments to:
John McMahon
Jordan Institute for Families
UNC-CH School of Social Work
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550
State Courier Number: 17-61-04
E-mail: johnmcmahon@mindspring.com
Newsletter Staff
Lane Cooke, MSW, Advisor
John McMahon, MA, Writer/Editor
Amy Ramirez, Asst. Editor
Daniel Brezenoff, Writer
Visit Our Website
To read this or past issues of Practice Notes
online, goto <http://www.sowo.unc.edu/fcrp/
Cspn/cspn.htm>.
AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN
IN FOSTER CARE
The number of African American children in
foster care is out of proportion with their
numbers in the general population. Of the
nearly 11,000 children in out-of-home care
in North Carolina, almost half are African
American, although blacks make up approxi¬
mately 27% of the population 19-and-under
across the state.
Some people believe the cause of this
situation is a complex web of economic and
societal factors that extend far beyond the
child welfare system. They argue that, be¬
cause these factors put black families at
risk, it makes sense that black families have
a higher degree of involvement with child
welfare. Given the circumstances, the argu¬
ment goes, the system is serving African
Americans well.
To support this conclusion, they point to
the tangible benefits the system provides
black children. Studies have shown that re¬
ceiving child welfare services reduces a
black child’s risk of incarceration and death
by homicide and increases his chances of
receiving mental health and medical care
when he needs it.
Others strongly disagree with this view.
They believe the child welfare system is fail¬
ing black families. To support their view they
point not only to the numbers of black chil¬
dren in foster care, but to the overall expe¬
rience African Americans have in the sys¬
tem. Studies have shown that, compared
to others, black parents are more likely to
have their children placed in out-of-home
care, to receive
fewer services, and
to have their paren¬
tal rights termi¬
nated.
Once in foster
care, black children
generally spend
more time there
than other kids.
They experience fewer visits with their par¬
ents and siblings. If the plan is adoption,
African American children usually wait longer
for an adoptive home.
All these things, critics say, are clear
signs something is wrong with our system.
To fix it they call for progressive, culturally
sensitive laws, policies, and practices. If the
system reformed itself, they argue, the num¬
ber of African Americans in foster care
would decline to reflect their numbers in
the general population.
Practice Notes cannot resolve this de¬
bate. It can, however, provide you with facts
about kids of color in foster care in North
Carolina, discuss laws and policies related
to this topic, and suggest strategies for
working with African American families and
children.
We hope this information will inspire
you to reflect on how this issue relates to
your practice, to discuss it with your
peers, and to reaffirm your commitment
to make a difference in your community
every day. 0
What can front
line child welfare
workers do to
improve things for
African American
families?
