ERIC Number: EJ892586
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Jul
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0037-8046
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Factors Contributing to Disproportionality in the Child Welfare System: Views from the Legal Community
Dettlaff, Alan J.; Rycraft, Joan R.
Social Work, v55 n3 p213-224 Jul 2010
A critical shortcoming in the existing body of research addressing racial disproportionality in the child welfare system is the lack of inclusion of external stakeholders in attempts to understand and address this issue. This article reports the results of a study designed to develop a deeper understanding of disproportionality from the views of the legal community, a critical stakeholder in child welfare. Using a qualitative approach, with focus groups as the method of data collection, data were collected to provide a greater depth of information that could be used alongside existing studies to develop an enhanced understanding of disproportionality in the child welfare system. Factors contributing to disproportionality include cultural bias, a fearful agency climate, communication barriers, ineffective service delivery, and workforce issues. Recommendations from focus group participants and implications are presented.
Descriptors: Focus Groups, Child Welfare, Disproportionate Representation, Legal Responsibility, Cultural Influences, Social Bias, Barriers, Interpersonal Communication, Delivery Systems, Work Environment, Racial Bias, Racial Differences
National Association of Social Workers (NASW). 750 First Street NE Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-227-3590; e-mail: press@naswdc.org; Web site: http://www.naswpress.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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