Strategies for improving child welfare services for families of color: First findings of a community-based initiative in Los Angeles |
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Authors: | Jaymie Lorthridge Jacquelyn McCroskeyPeter J. Pecora Ruth ChambersMaryam Fatemi |
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Affiliation: | a School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Montgomery Ross Fisher Building, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0411, United Statesb School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Montgomery Ross Fisher Building, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0411, United Statesc Casey Family Programs, 2001 8th Avenue North, Suite 2700, Seattle, WA 98121, United Statesd School of Social Work, University of Washington, 4101 15th Avenue NE, 354900, Seattle, WA 98105-6299, United Statese School of Social Work, California State University Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Social Sciences/Public Administration Building (SSPA) 131, Long Beach, CA 90840, United Statesf Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, 425 Shatto Place, Los Angeles, CA 90020, United States |
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Abstract: | ![]() A disproportionate number of families served in child welfare are families of color. But relatively few strategies for helping families of color have been monitored for their impact. This article reports early findings from a Los Angeles County based public child welfare office that has continuously developed, tracked, and has now begun to assess strategies supporting preservation and reunification of families of color. Some promising trends revealed by a four year data period include the reduction of number of African-American children within the caseload, reductions in substantiated referrals and removals. The most recently developed strategy, which uses specialized four person case management teams, was evaluated through the use of a comparison group. Public agency data revealed that families served by the team, compared with families served through customary agency services, had improved outcomes, including a higher percentage of cases closed with the child remaining in the home, and greater permanency exits from foster care. Additionally the data revealed that the case management team developed to mitigate disproportionality among African-American families also improved outcomes for Hispanic/Latino families. |
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Keywords: | African-American children Children of color Hispanic/Latino children Racial disparity Racial disproportionality Risk factors |
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