Dynamics that contribute to racial disproportionality and disparity: Perspectives from child welfare professionals, community partners, and families

This qualitative study used focus groups to explore child welfare and collaborating system decision makers, community partners, and families' perspectives on the dynamics that contribute to racial disproportionality and disparity in Oregon's child welfare system. Findings revealed that poverty, lack of trust, negative perceptions of clients' behaviors, inability to relate to clients, raising/differing expectations for families of color, holding onto the past, and lack of family engagement were dynamics that contributed to racial disproportionality and disparate treatment of families of color in the child welfare system. Practice and policy implications are discussed and recommendations for action steps and interventions to improve outcomes for children and families of color are presented.

► Contributors to child welfare racial disproportionality and disparity were explored. ► Child welfare professionals, community partners, and families were interviewed. ► Thematic analysis revealed several contributors to disproportionality and disparity. ► Participants' recommendations for practice and policy changes are presented.