This section includes resources that discuss strategies for reducing and/or eliminating disproportionality and disparity within the child welfare system. It is critical for child welfare to focus on equity throughout the child welfare continuum, from prevention of abuse and neglect to adoption. Addressing racial inequity and other discriminatory practices often includes strategies to influence change at the policy, program, workforce, and evaluation levels.
- Addressing LGBTQ+ disproportionality and disparities
- Addressing bias
- Strategies using data, evaluation, & policy
- Casework strategies
- State and local examples
Advancing Equitable Outcomes for Infants and Toddlers Involved in Child Welfare (PDF - 1,413 KB)
Quality Improvement Center for Research-Based Infant-Toddler Court Teams (2018)
Describes the overrepresentation and disparate treatment and outcomes for children of color within the child welfare system and calls out the role that infant-toddler court teams have in advancing equity. A process, tool, and various strategies are presented that build upon the Safe Babies Court Team™ approach.
Child Welfare Practice to Address Racial Disproportionality and Disparity
Confronting Racism, Engaging Partners, Finding Solutions (PDF - 2,099 KB)
CW360
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (2021)
Explores racism in the child welfare system and offers approaches and solutions to address racial disproportionality and disparity.
Fighting Institutional Racism at the Front End of Child Welfare Systems: A Call to Action to End the Unjust, Unnecessary, and Disproportionate Removal of Black Children From Their Families (PDF - 533 KB)
Children’s Rights (2021)
Presents a report that calls for an end to racism in child welfare and identifies strategies to address the inequities experienced by families and children of color throughout the child welfare system.
Intersectionality in Child Welfare (PDF - 271 KB)
National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (2021)
Illustrates the framework of intersectionality and emphasizes the importance of social identities and how they overlap across systems of discrimination and privilege.
Manifesto for Race Equity & Parent Leadership in Early Childhood Systems (PDF - 3,459 KB)
Center for the Study of Social Policy (2019)
Outlines five commitments for change and related actions to enhance race equity and parent leadership in early childhood systems of care, which are key for child abuse and neglect prevention.
Racial Disproportionality and Disparities in the Child Welfare System: Why Do They Exist, and What Can Be Done to Address Them?(PDF - 91 KB)
Dettlaff & Boyd (2020)
ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
Reviews causes of racial disproportionality and the best way to address it. The article indicates that racial disparity causes separation of families, which should not be viewed as acceptable.
Reducing Disparities Through Indigenous Social Work Education (PDF - 187 KB)
National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (2020)
Provides inclusive information on education that integrates indigenous knowledge into social work education to support culturally responsive child welfare.
Seeking Equity Calls Us to Cultural Humility
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau (2021)
Children’s Bureau Express, 22(4)
Shares the concept of cultural humility, which includes an examination of one’s own biases and efforts to address inequities. The article lists cultural humility practice principals that can help child welfare professionals.
Addressing LGBTQ+ disproportionality and disparities
Advancing Healthy Outcomes: Eight Ways to Promote the Health and Well-Being of LGBTQ+ Youth Involved With Child Welfare Through FFPSA (PDF - 4,649 KB)
Citrin & Martin (2019)
Center for the Study of Social Policy
Outlines eight specific strategies that can be implemented in light of the Family First Prevention Services Act to address disproportionalities and disparities for LGBTQ+ children and families in the child welfare system.
Building a More Inclusive Child Welfare System for LGBTQ Youth
Human Rights Campaign (2019)
Discusses the AFFIRM program being used in Maryland to give LGBTQ youth and their families assistance through coping skills training and peer support programs.
How Can Child Welfare Agencies Effectively Support LGBTQ+ Youth in Care?
Casey Family Programs (2019)
Explains disparities faced by LGBTQ+ youth in foster care and highlights programs being used around the country to better support them.
LGBTQ+ Youth and Families and Race Equity: Disparities and Disproportionalities in Child Welfare and Other Systems of Care [Webinar]
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (2019)
Details the importance of discussing LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning and those for whom these labels do not accurately describe their sexual orientation or gender identity) youth in child welfare in relationship to race equity work and provides recommended practices for working with LGBTQ+ youth and families.
Progress Towards Building an Affirming and Supportive Child Welfare System: getREAL in Allegheny County
Center for the Study of Social Policy (2019)
Presents a report on progress made in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, toward better supporting LGBTQ+ children and youth in foster care.
Supporting LGBTQ Youth and Parents in Child Welfare Systems [Video]
Human Rights Campaign (2019)
Focuses on how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) youth are at high risk for entering foster care and describes the importance of child welfare professionals understanding how to support the safety of LGBTQ youth. Policy and practice reform are mentioned as being necessary to improve the child welfare system for LGBTQ youth.