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Examining racial disproportionality in child protective services case decisions

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  • Font, Sarah A.
  • Berger, Lawrence M.
  • Slack, Kristen S.

Abstract

Using a national sample of 1461 child protective services (CPS) investigations in the United States, we examine differences between black and white families with regard to caseworker ratings of risk and harm to the child, as well as the probability that a case is substantiated for maltreatment. We employ difference-in-difference methods to identify whether gaps in outcomes for black and white families are equivalent when black and white CPS workers conduct the investigation, and Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition methods to identify the portion of the black–white difference in outcomes that is attributable to differences in case characteristics (risk factors) versus differences in associations between these characteristics and the outcomes by race (differential treatment). We find no differences in outcomes by child race after adjusting for case characteristics. At the same time, we find that, relative to white caseworkers, black caseworkers are more likely to rate black children at subjectively higher risk of harm than white children and are also more likely to substantiate black families for maltreatment. The decomposition results suggest that—even after accounting for caseworker race—differences in outcomes for black and white children are primarily explained by differences in family and case circumstances rather than differential treatment. Thus, our analyses suggest that interventions addressing maltreatment-related risk factors that disproportionately affect black families may have greater utility for reducing racial disparities in CPS involvement than current emphases on cultural competence training.

Suggested Citation

  • Font, Sarah A. & Berger, Lawrence M. & Slack, Kristen S., 2012. "Examining racial disproportionality in child protective services case decisions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(11), pages 2188-2200.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:34:y:2012:i:11:p:2188-2200
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.07.012
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    6. Leung, Patrick & Cheung, Monit, 2013. "Factor analyzing the “ASK” cultural competency self-assessment scale for child protective services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 1993-2002.
    7. Sinha, Vandna & Ellenbogen, Stephen & Trocmé, Nico, 2013. "Substantiating neglect of first nations and non-aboriginal children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2080-2090.
    8. Emily Keddell & Gabrielle Davie, 2018. "Inequalities and Child Protection System Contact in Aotearoa New Zealand: Developing a Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-14, June.
    9. Marshall, Jane Marie & Haight, Wendy L., 2014. "Understanding racial disproportionality affecting African American Youth who cross over from the child welfare to the juvenile justice system: Communication, power, race and social class," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 82-90.
    10. Yi, Youngmin & Edwards, Frank & Emanuel, Natalia & Lee, Hedwig & Leventhal, John M. & Waldfogel, Jane & Wildeman, Christopher, 2023. "State-level variation in the cumulative prevalence of child welfare system contact, 2015–2019," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
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