Addressing Disparities in Child Welfare
Minority populations - specifically African-Americans and American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) - are over-represented in our foster care system. Although African-American children make up less than 15% of the U.S. child population, they represent nearly 37% of the foster care population. A report recently released by the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago found that African American infants are nearly three times more likely to be placed in foster care than white infants. A 2007 GAO report responded to growing concern about the over-representation of African American children in foster care, highlighting the need for assistance to states in reducing the number of children in care. The report identified several factors that contribute to the over-representation of African-Americans in care, including lack of access to substance abuse treatment and auxiliary services, including subsidized housing.
Close to 10,000 AI/AN children are currently in the foster care system, often representing a disproportionate number of kids in care. In fact, the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) reports that in some states - including Alaska and South Dakota AI/AN children represent over 45% of substantiated cases of child abuse. Although tribal communities are over-represented in the child welfare system, they lack access to critical federal funding, services and supports.
