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Ethnic matching: A two-state comparison of child welfare workers' attitudes

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  • Chenot, David
  • Benton, Amy D.
  • Iglesias, Michelle
  • Boutakidis, Ioakim

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore child welfare workers' perspectives on ethnic matching in child welfare service delivery. Specifically, regarding ethnic matching; the authors investigate worker perceptions of advantages and disadvantages, worker preferences, ‘goodness of fit’ issues, barriers to implementation, enhancement of family engagement, and positive outcomes for families and children of color involved in child welfare services. Using qualitative interviews with child welfare workers who are currently or have recently been employed in public child welfare agencies in two states in the USA, this study provides direct input from frontline personnel and supervisors. A grounded theory analysis of participant responses produced results that reflect the complexities involved with ethnic matching. Themes highlight potential benefits and challenges concerning ethnic matching; along with identification of other issues involved with client outcomes. Study findings also provide contextual information for research, policy making, and practice concerning the manner in which services are provided to children of color, who are currently overrepresented in the system.

Suggested Citation

  • Chenot, David & Benton, Amy D. & Iglesias, Michelle & Boutakidis, Ioakim, 2019. "Ethnic matching: A two-state comparison of child welfare workers' attitudes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 24-31.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:98:y:2019:i:c:p:24-31
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.12.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chenot, David & Boutakidis, Ioakim & Benton, Amy D., 2014. "Equity and fairness perceptions in the child welfare workforce," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 400-406.
    2. Faller, Kathleen Coulborn & Grabarek, Marguerite & Vandervort, Frank, 2009. "Child welfare workers go to court: The impact of race, gender, and education on the comfort with legal issues," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(9), pages 972-977, September.
    3. Williams, Sharon E. & Nichols, Quienton L. & Williams, Nadia L., 2013. "Public child welfare workers' perception of efficacy relative to multicultural awareness, knowledge and skills," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 1789-1793.
    4. Perry, Robin & Limb, Gordon E., 2004. "Ethnic/racial matching of clients and social workers in public child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(10), pages 965-979, October.
    5. Ryan, Joseph P. & Garnier, Philip & Zyphur, Michael & Zhai, Fuhua, 2006. "Investigating the effects of caseworker characteristics in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(9), pages 993-1006, September.
    6. Hines, Alice M & Lemon, Kathy & Wyatt, Paige & Merdinger, Joan, 2004. "Factors related to the disproportionate involvement of children of color in the child welfare system: a review and emerging themes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(6), pages 507-527, June.
    7. Anyon, Yolanda, 2011. "Reducing racial disparities and disproportionalities in the child welfare system: Policy perspectives about how to serve the best interests of African American youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 242-253, February.
    8. Tilbury, Clare & Thoburn, June, 2009. "Using racial disproportionality and disparity indicators to measure child welfare outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(10), pages 1101-1106, October.
    9. Kim, Hansung & Chenot, David & Ji, Juye, 2011. "Racial/ethnic disparity in child welfare systems: A longitudinal study utilizing the Disparity Index (DI)," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1234-1244, July.
    10. Kriz, Katrin & Skivenes, Marit, 2011. "How child welfare workers view their work with racial and ethnic minority families: The United States in contrast to England and Norway," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(10), pages 1866-1874, October.
    11. Sawrikar, Pooja, 2013. "A qualitative study on the pros and cons of ethnically matching culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) client families and child protection caseworkers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 321-331.
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    2. Sawrikar, Pooja, 2020. "Service providers’ cultural self-awareness and responsible use of racial power when working with ethnic minority victims/survivors of child sexual abuse: Results from a program evaluation study in Aus," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).

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