Study Finds Child Welfare System Treats African American Families Differently

African American children and youth are not only over-represented in the nation’s child welfare systems, but are also subjected to poorer treatment within those systems than are their Caucasian counterparts, a new study released October 24, 2006 confirmed. Despite data that show no difference in the rates of child abuse and neglect between races, African American families are more frequently reported for abuse and neglect of their children and their children are more frequently removed from their homes, with damaging consequences. Once in foster care, the study continues, African American children and youth receive fewer visits from caseworkers and less mental health services than do Caucasian children