Disproportionality and Disparity in Child Welfare

The overrepresentation of African-American and Native American children in the child welfare system is a troubling and complex phenomenon.  Thirty-three percent of kids in foster care are African-American, but they  make up only 15 percent of the child population.  Yet federal studies indicate that child abuse and neglect is actually lower for black families than it is for whites.   Lawmakers in a number of states are requiring answers, and social service agencies are doing some difficult soul searching.  One of the major questions is whether the nation's child welfare system undermines the strength of families, particularly families of color.

Legislative Initiatives

• Color of Care, State Legislatures, April 2007
• Selected Legislation, October 2007

Overviews and Statistics

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•   Disproportionality in the Child Welfare System: The Disproportionate Representation of Children of Color in Foster Care
•   Race Matters Consortium: Overrepresentation of Children of Color in Foster Care in 2000 Working Paper
• Children of Color in the Child Welfare System: Perspectives From the Child Welfare Community
•  Undercounted, Underserved, Immigrant and Refugee Families in the Child Welfare System

 Child Welfare

Featured Items

• GAO Report: African American Children in Foster Care
• Policy Actions
• State Reports
• Slide Presentations

Indian Child Welfare

• Washington 2006 Laws, HB 3182, Chap. 90
• The National Indian Child Welfare Association
• NCSL: The Indian Child Welfare Act and the States

NCSL Staff Contact

• Nina Williams-Mbenque