Seeing Beyond our Own Seeing Beyond our Own Time: A Celebration of Time: A Celebration of

African American Life and African American Life and HistoryHistory

A Look at Foster CareA Look at Foster Care

Ruth G. McRoy DavisRuth G. McRoy Davis

The Covenant with Black America The Covenant with Black America by Tavis Smileyby Tavis Smiley

Calls upon all parents, educators, Calls upon all parents, educators, preachers, social service providers, preachers, social service providers, community leaders and policy-community leaders and policy-makers to act now and create a makers to act now and create a brighter future for our children. brighter future for our children.

The Covenant addresses 10 The Covenant addresses 10 Issues: Issues:

Health CareHealth Care EducationEducation JusticeJustice PolicingPolicing Affordable Affordable

NeighborhoodsNeighborhoods

DemocracyDemocracy Rural RootsRural Roots Economic Economic

ProsperityProsperity Environmental Environmental

JusticeJustice Digital DivideDigital Divide

Today we will addressToday we will address

Covenant XICovenant XI

Children in Foster CareChildren in Foster Care

According to AFCARS estimatesAccording to AFCARS estimates for for Sept. 2005Sept. 2005

513,000 children in the US foster 513,000 children in the US foster care systemcare system

White, 41%White, 41% Black, Non-Hispanic 32%Black, Non-Hispanic 32%

Hispanic, 18% Hispanic, 18% AI/AN Non Hispanic 2% AI/AN Non Hispanic 2%

Asian/PI NI Non-Hispanic 1%Asian/PI NI Non-Hispanic 1% Unknown 2% Unknown 2%

Two or more races 3% Two or more races 3%

OverrepresentationOverrepresentation

If a particular racial/ethnic group If a particular racial/ethnic group of children is represented in of children is represented in foster care at a higher foster care at a higher percentage than they are percentage than they are represented in the general represented in the general populationpopulation

DisproportionalityDisproportionality

A situation in which a particular A situation in which a particular racial/ethnic group of children is racial/ethnic group of children is represented in foster care at a higher represented in foster care at a higher percentage than other racial/ethnic percentage than other racial/ethnic groupsgroups (I.e. If 5% of all White children are (I.e. If 5% of all White children are

in care, then 5% of African in care, then 5% of African American, Hispanic etc.)American, Hispanic etc.)

U.S. Child Population under 18U.S. Child Population under 18(% in care)(% in care)

61% White (41% in care)61% White (41% in care) 17% Hispanic/Latino (18% in care)17% Hispanic/Latino (18% in care) 15% African American (32% in care)15% African American (32% in care) 3% Asian American (1% in care)3% Asian American (1% in care) 1% American Indian/AN (2% in care)1% American Indian/AN (2% in care)

92,344 California children in 92,344 California children in foster Carefoster Care

California has the largest foster care California has the largest foster care population in the U.S.population in the U.S.

More than the population of Davis More than the population of Davis (64,348)(64,348)

Slightly less than the population of Slightly less than the population of Roseville (98,359) and the population Roseville (98,359) and the population of Berkeley (102,004)of Berkeley (102,004)

Good News:Good News:

Number in California foster care has Number in California foster care has decreased by 8% from 2003 to 2005decreased by 8% from 2003 to 2005

In 2000 there were 108,000 in foster In 2000 there were 108,000 in foster care. care.

Demographics of the 92,344 Demographics of the 92,344 California children in Foster CareCalifornia children in Foster Care 27% between 0 and 527% between 0 and 5 30% between 6 and 1230% between 6 and 12 42% between 13 and 2142% between 13 and 21 Average number of months in care-- Average number of months in care--

38 months (30 months nationally)38 months (30 months nationally) 46% have experienced three or 46% have experienced three or

more foster care placements (42% more foster care placements (42% nationally)nationally)

Majority of children come into care Majority of children come into care because of parental neglectbecause of parental neglect

Special Challenges for Youth Special Challenges for Youth

Experienced abuse and neglectExperienced abuse and neglect Physical and mental health problemsPhysical and mental health problems Developmental delaysDevelopmental delays Educational difficultiesEducational difficulties Mild to severe psychological and Mild to severe psychological and

behavioral difficulties behavioral difficulties Multiple moves/lossesMultiple moves/losses Sibling and other family connectionsSibling and other family connections Concerns/Fears about adoptionConcerns/Fears about adoption

California’s foster childrenCalifornia’s foster children

47,429 waiting to be reunified47,429 waiting to be reunified 5% or 4,852 waiting to be adopted5% or 4,852 waiting to be adopted Avg. time foster care children have Avg. time foster care children have

beenbeen waiting to be adopted-- 46 months (42 waiting to be adopted-- 46 months (42

months nationally)months nationally)

AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN IN CARE IN CALIFORNIA IN CARE IN CALIFORNIA

African American children represent 6.7 % African American children represent 6.7 % of the under 17 population.of the under 17 population. But represent 29% of those in social services But represent 29% of those in social services

carecare 23,436 children in care are African 23,436 children in care are African

AmericanAmerican

32 OUT OF EVERY 1000 African 32 OUT OF EVERY 1000 African American children in California are in American children in California are in foster carefoster care

““Black kids more often taken from Black kids more often taken from families by social workers”families by social workers”

Recent news headlineRecent news headline Santa Clara County—Black children Santa Clara County—Black children

represented only 2.4% of the population represented only 2.4% of the population younger than 17 in the county, but accounted younger than 17 in the county, but accounted for 12.8 percent of children in the child welfare for 12.8 percent of children in the child welfare system in 2005, more than 7 times the rate of system in 2005, more than 7 times the rate of White children. White children.

Needell, Brookhart, & Lee (2003) Needell, Brookhart, & Lee (2003)

Needell, Brookhart, & Lee (2003) found Needell, Brookhart, & Lee (2003) found that Black children in California are more that Black children in California are more likely than White or Hispanic children to be likely than White or Hispanic children to be removed from their caretaker and placed removed from their caretaker and placed in care, even when age, reason for in care, even when age, reason for maltreatment, neighborhood poverty are maltreatment, neighborhood poverty are taken into account. taken into account.

County DataCounty Data

Alameda CountyAlameda County 15% of child population is Black15% of child population is Black

67% of children in care are Black67% of children in care are Black Contra Costa CountyContra Costa County

11% of Child population is Black11% of Child population is Black 46% of children in care are Black 46% of children in care are Black

Solano CountySolano County 17% of child population is Black17% of child population is Black

40% of children in care are Black40% of children in care are Black

Annually about 11% or 4,535 Annually about 11% or 4,535 California children exit care at 18 or California children exit care at 18 or

older older Another 7% (2,877) leave for other Another 7% (2,877) leave for other

reasonsreasons Including running away, transfer, or Including running away, transfer, or

deathdeath

Nationally, about 20,000 children Nationally, about 20,000 children age out of foster care with no place age out of foster care with no place

to go. to go.

Former foster children are 22 times Former foster children are 22 times more likely to be homeless than more likely to be homeless than peers and one-third end up poor.peers and one-third end up poor.

Child Welfare Decision Point Analysis Child Welfare Decision Point Analysis

Identify points where change in Identify points where change in representation occursrepresentation occurs

Report/no reportReport/no report Investigation/no investigationInvestigation/no investigation Substantiation/no substantiationSubstantiation/no substantiation Case closed/no services/in home Case closed/no services/in home

services/out of home care (kin,foster)services/out of home care (kin,foster) Reunification/adoption/remain in care Reunification/adoption/remain in care

or age outor age out

Percent of African American vs. White Percent of African American vs. White Children: in population, victims, entering Children: in population, victims, entering foster care, in foster care, and waiting for foster care, in foster care, and waiting for

adoptionadoption

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

% in pop victims enter fc in fc waiting

WhiteAf Amer

Child Maltreatment 2002: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/publications/cm02/index.htm, p. 23National Adoption and Foster Care Statistics: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/dis/afcars/publications/afcars.htmEstimates based on AFCARS data 3/04

African American children in African American children in CaliforniaCalifornia

Are more likely than White or Latino Are more likely than White or Latino children to be reported for abuse, children to be reported for abuse, and more likely to be placed in foster and more likely to be placed in foster care, particularly if they are infants. care, particularly if they are infants. They are less likely to be reunified They are less likely to be reunified and adopted than children of other and adopted than children of other races (Needell, et al, 2004).races (Needell, et al, 2004).

Possible ExplanationsPossible Explanations

Disproportionate need Disproportionate need Societal discriminatory practices over Societal discriminatory practices over

which the child welfare systems have which the child welfare systems have little or no control.little or no control.

Discriminatory practices within the Discriminatory practices within the child welfare system (Needell, et al. child welfare system (Needell, et al. 2003).2003).

Considerations in DisproportionalityConsiderations in Disproportionality

PovertyPoverty Lindsey (1991) and Pelton (1989)Lindsey (1991) and Pelton (1989)

Parental income is the best predictor of Parental income is the best predictor of child removal and placementchild removal and placement

Majority of children in care from single Majority of children in care from single parent, low-income households.parent, low-income households.

Differential attributions and Differential attributions and labeling biaslabeling bias

Physicians may be more likely to Physicians may be more likely to attribute injury to abuse in lower attribute injury to abuse in lower income homes.income homes.

(Pelton, 1989, pp. 52-53)(Pelton, 1989, pp. 52-53)

The reason for placement is that the The reason for placement is that the family, frequently due to poverty” does family, frequently due to poverty” does not have the resources to offset the not have the resources to offset the impact of situational or personal impact of situational or personal problems which themselves are often problems which themselves are often caused by poverty, and the agencies caused by poverty, and the agencies have failed to provide the needed have failed to provide the needed supports, such as baby sitting, supports, such as baby sitting, homemaking, day care, financial homemaking, day care, financial assistance, and housing assistance. assistance, and housing assistance.

In CaliforniaIn California

1 in 5 children lives in a household 1 in 5 children lives in a household that earns less than the federal that earns less than the federal poverty level ($16,600 per year for a poverty level ($16,600 per year for a family of three).family of three). 1 in 31 in 3 African American, Latino and African American, Latino and

Native American children, ages 5 and Native American children, ages 5 and younger, lives in a very low-income younger, lives in a very low-income family.family.

One in 12 White children lives in a very One in 12 White children lives in a very low income family.low income family.

NeglectNeglect

Often product of povertyOften product of poverty Parents under scrutiny/more Parents under scrutiny/more

likely to be reportedlikely to be reported

According to According to The State of Black The State of Black CaliforniaCalifornia

Black poverty rate is 22.4% compared to Black poverty rate is 22.4% compared to the White poverty rate at 8%.the White poverty rate at 8%.

33.9% of Black children live in two parent 33.9% of Black children live in two parent families as compared to 72% of White families as compared to 72% of White children.children.

Blacks higher in felony arrests, Blacks higher in felony arrests, misdemeanor arrests, homicide rates for misdemeanor arrests, homicide rates for males and females; higher in school males and females; higher in school dropout ratesdropout rates

The State of Black California: The State of Black California: Racial InequalityRacial Inequality

Blacks’ economic standing is a little over Blacks’ economic standing is a little over half that of Whiteshalf that of Whites

Blacks’ housing quality, health index, Blacks’ housing quality, health index, education, criminal justice index education, criminal justice index is about two-thirds that of Whites.is about two-thirds that of Whites.

Only index in which Blacks scored higher is Only index in which Blacks scored higher is civic participation.civic participation.

Child Maltreatment ReportingChild Maltreatment Reporting

AA families more likely to be reported AA families more likely to be reported for suspected child abuse and for suspected child abuse and neglect, YETneglect, YET

NIS-1,NIS2,NIS3--estimates about incidence NIS-1,NIS2,NIS3--estimates about incidence of child abuse and neglect reported NO of child abuse and neglect reported NO differences in incidence of child abuse and differences in incidence of child abuse and neglect by racial groupneglect by racial group

Parental Substance AbuseParental Substance Abuse Parental substance abuse reason for 42% of Parental substance abuse reason for 42% of

children who were victims of abuse and neglectchildren who were victims of abuse and neglect

In 77% of these cases, alcohol was the problem In 77% of these cases, alcohol was the problem substance, and cocaine in 23%substance, and cocaine in 23%

Alcohol and drug related cases more likely to Alcohol and drug related cases more likely to result in foster care placements than other cases result in foster care placements than other cases (DHHS, 1999)(DHHS, 1999)

Black women more likely to be reported for prenatal Black women more likely to be reported for prenatal substance abuse andsubstance abuse and

more likely to have children removedmore likely to have children removed

Relationship between poverty Relationship between poverty and child welfare outcomesand child welfare outcomes

Lower likelihood of reunificationLower likelihood of reunification Family does not have resources to offset Family does not have resources to offset

situational or personal problems caused by situational or personal problems caused by poverty—homelessness, lack of child care, poverty—homelessness, lack of child care, poor health, violent neighborhoods, poor health, violent neighborhoods, substance involvement, involvement with substance involvement, involvement with criminal justice system.criminal justice system.

Poor children less likely to be returned to Poor children less likely to be returned to their families and less likely to be adopted their families and less likely to be adopted than children from higher income families.than children from higher income families.

Relationship between race and Relationship between race and child welfare outcomeschild welfare outcomes

African Americans disproportionately African Americans disproportionately poorpoor

Disparate family preservation service Disparate family preservation service deliverydelivery

Inequities in child maltreatment Inequities in child maltreatment reporting, service provision, kinship reporting, service provision, kinship care, family preservation, exit rates, care, family preservation, exit rates, length of care, placement stability and length of care, placement stability and adoption (Courtney 1996, Barth, 1994)adoption (Courtney 1996, Barth, 1994)

Less likely to have plans for visitation Less likely to have plans for visitation (Olsen, 1982)(Olsen, 1982)

Enter care at younger ages (Kemp & Enter care at younger ages (Kemp & Bodonyi, 2000)Bodonyi, 2000)

Differential Service ProvisionDifferential Service Provision

Lack of culturally competent Lack of culturally competent child protective service workerschild protective service workers

Most have no training in service Most have no training in service provision to African Americans, provision to African Americans, Hispanics and American IndiansHispanics and American Indians

Most lack training in risk Most lack training in risk assessments, child dev., assessments, child dev., parenting, etc.parenting, etc.

Disparities not Unique to Child Disparities not Unique to Child WelfareWelfare

Also occur in Also occur in Special EducationSpecial EducationHealthHealthMental HealthMental HealthCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice

What can be done?What can be done?

NationallyNationally Within the State or CountyWithin the State or County

Within the communityWithin the community By individualsBy individuals

Rep. Rangel Started Inquiry Rep. Rangel Started Inquiry

into the High Number of Black into the High Number of Black Children in Foster CareChildren in Foster Care

Releases Data Showing Releases Data Showing Significant Over-RepresentationSignificant Over-Representationand Requests Investigation from and Requests Investigation from the GAOthe GAO

            The statistics tell us that too many African American The statistics tell us that too many African American children spend too much time in our foster care children spend too much time in our foster care system.  We need answers to what might be causing system.  We need answers to what might be causing this troubling over-representation, and then we need this troubling over-representation, and then we need to take corrective action.  I am hopeful that an to take corrective action.  I am hopeful that an investigation by the GAO will start us down that investigation by the GAO will start us down that path.  path. 

In the meantime, there are clearly some immediate In the meantime, there are clearly some immediate steps Congress can take to help all children in the steps Congress can take to help all children in the child welfare system, such as increasing access to child welfare system, such as increasing access to services that help at-risk families safely stay services that help at-risk families safely stay together or reunify. " together or reunify. " 

Select Committee on Foster Care-Select Committee on Foster Care-Karen Bass, ChairKaren Bass, Chair

Challenges and hurdles facing Challenges and hurdles facing relative caregiversrelative caregivers

Critical needs of teens in foster care Critical needs of teens in foster care and emancipationand emancipation

Importance of the court and legal Importance of the court and legal processprocess

Assembly Bill 672Assembly Bill 672

February 21, 2007February 21, 2007 Introduced by Assembly Member BeallIntroduced by Assembly Member Beall

Will require the California Child Welfare Will require the California Child Welfare Council to prepare a workplan and appoint a Council to prepare a workplan and appoint a committee to develop a statewide vision and committee to develop a statewide vision and strategy for reducing the inappropriate strategy for reducing the inappropriate disproportionate representation of children disproportionate representation of children of color in California’s child welfare and of color in California’s child welfare and foster care systems. foster care systems.

Disparities not unique to CaliforniaDisparities not unique to California

Studies recently completed in MN, Studies recently completed in MN, Michigan, TexasMichigan, Texas

Children’s Rights Law Suit in Children’s Rights Law Suit in TennesseeTennessee

The State of Black California: Racial The State of Black California: Racial InequalityInequality

Blacks’ economic standing is a little over Blacks’ economic standing is a little over half that of Whiteshalf that of Whites

Blacks’ housing quality, health index, Blacks’ housing quality, health index, education, criminal justice index education, criminal justice index is about two-thirds that of Whites.is about two-thirds that of Whites.

Only index in which Blacks scored higher is Only index in which Blacks scored higher is civic participation.civic participation.

Shattered Bonds: The Color of Shattered Bonds: The Color of Child WelfareChild Welfare

By Dorothy RobertsBy Dorothy Roberts State disruption of families is one State disruption of families is one

symptom of this institutionalized symptom of this institutionalized discrimination. It reflects the persistent discrimination. It reflects the persistent gulf between the material welfare of gulf between the material welfare of Black and White children in America. Black and White children in America. The racial disparity in the child welfare The racial disparity in the child welfare system—even if related directly to system—even if related directly to economic inequality, ultimately results economic inequality, ultimately results from racial injustice. from racial injustice.

Assess which political candidates Assess which political candidates are addressing these disparities.are addressing these disparities.

Need to assess what we can do to Need to assess what we can do to prevent child removalsprevent child removals

ChurchesChurches Adopt a FamilyAdopt a Family

Civic OrganizationsCivic Organizations Address issues of substance abuseAddress issues of substance abuse

and other causes of neglect and abuseand other causes of neglect and abuse One Stop shopping—Compton One Stop shopping—Compton

approachapproach

Reaching churchesReaching churches Singleton and Roseman (2004) reported in their Singleton and Roseman (2004) reported in their

recent study of 51 Black ministers in Florida that recent study of 51 Black ministers in Florida that 83% of the ministers had never included the topic of 83% of the ministers had never included the topic of foster care or adoption in sermons and most had no foster care or adoption in sermons and most had no experience with adoption or foster care. experience with adoption or foster care.

We need to reach out to African American churches We need to reach out to African American churches and ministers more in order to enlist support and and ministers more in order to enlist support and family resources for children in the system. family resources for children in the system.

Become an Adoptive or Foster Become an Adoptive or Foster Parent or Recruit Families Parent or Recruit Families

513,000 children in care513,000 children in care 114,000 children awaiting adoption (2005)114,000 children awaiting adoption (2005)

Average of 8.6 years old nowAverage of 8.6 years old now 36% are African American36% are African American

Need to look at experiences of youth in Need to look at experiences of youth in foster carefoster care

Educational outcomes for youth in schools Educational outcomes for youth in schools (Struggling children in struggling schools)(Struggling children in struggling schools)

Number of moves Number of moves Services in careServices in care

Small Scale ChangeSmall Scale Change

One child and family at a timeOne child and family at a time No more blameNo more blame

Plan Do Study Act (PDSA)Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) What am I going to do by next Tuesday?What am I going to do by next Tuesday? Organize or partner with community Organize or partner with community

groups to get involved and get people groups to get involved and get people motivated.motivated.

What can you do?What can you do?

Be a tutorBe a tutor Be a foster parentBe a foster parent Be a respite providerBe a respite provider Become an adoptive parentBecome an adoptive parent Recruit familiesRecruit families

Tell others about the childrenTell others about the children Let people in your church know about the Let people in your church know about the

needsneeds Luggage needsLuggage needs

Bobby – 8 years oldBobby – 8 years old

Bobby loves to play with his toys, especially balls and Bobby loves to play with his toys, especially balls and trucks. He has a great laugh. He is very healthy and trucks. He has a great laugh. He is very healthy and has never been seriously ill. He plays well with other has never been seriously ill. He plays well with other children. He is in therapy every other week. He is a children. He is in therapy every other week. He is a grade little in school, but he is doing well at this time. grade little in school, but he is doing well at this time.

Bobby is tall for his age and has been in the 90th to Bobby is tall for his age and has been in the 90th to 95th percentile for his age at most stages of life. He 95th percentile for his age at most stages of life. He loves playing basketball and wants to be like Shaq. loves playing basketball and wants to be like Shaq. He has had some problems with speech early in life, He has had some problems with speech early in life, which may come back in the first months of his which may come back in the first months of his adoptive placement, but he should overcome these adoptive placement, but he should overcome these issues quickly as he adjusts to his adoptive home. issues quickly as he adjusts to his adoptive home.

Bobby would do well in a one or two parent home. In Bobby would do well in a one or two parent home. In a single parent home, he would probably do better a single parent home, he would probably do better with a single male. He needs a family that can help with a single male. He needs a family that can help him at home with developmental skills and that will him at home with developmental skills and that will be involved with his education. He needs a family be involved with his education. He needs a family that will advocate for him at school. He needs a that will advocate for him at school. He needs a family that can monitor his progress to make sure family that can monitor his progress to make sure that he does not fall behind in his gross and fine that he does not fall behind in his gross and fine motor skills as well as his speech. He would benefit motor skills as well as his speech. He would benefit from a family that has parented, foster parented, from a family that has parented, foster parented, and/or adopted previously. and/or adopted previously.

Terrell – 11 years old –still has Terrell – 11 years old –still has hopehope

Terrell is a soft-spoken, loving child. He is shy when Terrell is a soft-spoken, loving child. He is shy when meeting new people and takes time to warm up to meeting new people and takes time to warm up to them. Terrell likes playing outside. He loves playing them. Terrell likes playing outside. He loves playing football and basketball. Terrell enjoys staying active football and basketball. Terrell enjoys staying active and participating in activities. and participating in activities.

He has been waiting for six years and hopes his He has been waiting for six years and hopes his chance for a family comes along soon. He is now in chance for a family comes along soon. He is now in fifth grade. fifth grade.

What can you do?What can you do?

Be a CASA volunteerBe a CASA volunteer Be a mentorBe a mentor Become an advocateBecome an advocate Do talks on preventionDo talks on prevention

Help families before they get caught up in Help families before they get caught up in the systemthe system

Transitional Living ServicesTransitional Living Services

Every child needs to be connected to Every child needs to be connected to a caring adult who can provide a caring adult who can provide guidance, support, and connection to guidance, support, and connection to opportunities and pathways to a opportunities and pathways to a secure productive future. secure productive future.

The eyes of the future are looking The eyes of the future are looking back at us, and they are praying for back at us, and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time.us to see beyond our own time.

Terry Tempest WilliamsTerry Tempest Williams

THE CHILDRENTHE CHILDRENAREAREWAITING.WAITING.