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Overrepresentation of Black children in the child welfare system: A systematic review to understand and better act

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  • Cénat, Jude Mary
  • McIntee, Sara-Emilie
  • Mukunzi, Joana N.
  • Noorishad, Pari-Gole

Abstract

The overrepresentation of Black children in child protection services has been reported continuously in Western societies, but remains poorly understood. This systematic review’s objective was: (1) to confirm or refute the existence of racial disparities and the overrepresentation of Black youth in child protection services in countries where Black communities constitute a minority; (2) to analyze the risk and protective factors associated with these observations. Our study confirmed the overrepresentation of Black youth and their disproportionate representation across stages of involvement with child welfare protection services. Two categories of factors: sociodemographic (gender, age, race and socioeconomic status) and racial discrimination (associated with referrals, investigations, and caregivers), were identified as contributing to these disparities. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Cénat, Jude Mary & McIntee, Sara-Emilie & Mukunzi, Joana N. & Noorishad, Pari-Gole, 2021. "Overrepresentation of Black children in the child welfare system: A systematic review to understand and better act," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:120:y:2021:i:c:s019074092032137x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105714
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    3. Lisa Merkel-Holguin & Ida Drury & Colleen Gibley-Reed & Adrian Lara & Maleeka Jihad & Krystal Grint & Kendall Marlowe, 2022. "Structures of Oppression in the U.S. Child Welfare System: Reflections on Administrative Barriers to Equity," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Noorishad, Pari-Gole & Paul Darius, Wina & Czechowski, Konrad & McIntee, Sara-Emilie & Ntunga Mukunzi, Joana & Mary Cénat, Jude, 2023. "Racism as a vehicle for the overrepresentation of Black youth in child protection services in Ontario, Canada: Caseworkers’ and community facilitators’ perspectives," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    5. Godoy, Sarah & Kainz, Kirsten & Brevard, Kanisha & Keyes, Oprah, 2022. "A conceptual model to guide collaborative reflective practice and values-driven child welfare decision-making," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    6. Snyder-Fickler, Elizabeth & Alban, Carmen & Liu, Yuerong & Rohrs, RoseMarie & Blessing, Laronda & Longenecker, Teresa C. & Sotolongo, Emilia M. & Byrd, Jessalyn & Golonka, Megan & Evans, Kelly & Hurst, 2023. "What do child maltreatment reports to child protective services tell us about the needs families and communities are experiencing?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    7. LaBrenz, Catherine A. & Lloyd Sieger, Margaret & Choi, Mijin & Harrell, Danielle R. & Findley, Erin & Robinson, Erica D. & Baiden, Philip, 2023. "Family support services and reunification across diverse racial/ethnic groups: A survival analysis utilizing administrative child welfare data," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    8. Luck, Anneliese N., 2023. "Variation in cumulative childhood risks of parental imprisonment and foster care removal by state and race/ethnicity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    9. LaBrenz, Catherine A. & Littleton, Tenesha & Shipe, Stacey L. & Bai, Rong & Stargel, Lauren, 2023. "State policies on child maltreatment and racial disproportionality," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    10. Jill R. McTavish & Christine McKee & Masako Tanaka & Harriet L. MacMillan, 2022. "Child Welfare Reform: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-24, October.
    11. Brewsaugh, Katrina & Holmes, Allison K. & Richardson, Audrey & Barnard, Suzanne & Weaver, Cynthia & O'Brien, Kirk & Parker, Elizabeth & Pecora, Peter J. & DuMont, Kimberly & Munson, Sara & Smith, Joan, 2022. "Research and knowledge gaps in child welfare in the United States: A national survey of agency staff, allied disciplines, tribal leaders, and people who have experienced child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    12. Beard, Lauren M. & Choi, Kyung Won, 2024. "Disrupted family reunification: Mental health, race, and state-level factors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).

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