Foster care Disparities

Foster Care Disparities

African American children are disproportionately represented in the U.S. foster care system. According to the most recent data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), African American children make up approximately 23% of the foster care population, despite comprising only about 14% of the total child population in the United States.

This overrepresentation can be attributed to a variety of systemic issues, including:

• Socioeconomic Factors: Higher rates of poverty and economic instability in African American communities can lead to increased involvement with child welfare services.

• Bias and Discrimination: Racial bias and discrimination within the child welfare system can lead to a higher likelihood of African American children being removed from their homes compared to children of other races.

• Family and Community Support: African American families may face challenges in accessing resources and support services that can help prevent children from entering foster care.

• Reporting and Investigation Practices: Differences in how abuse and neglect cases are reported, investigated, and adjudicated can also contribute to the disproportionality.