Maybe you’ve heard that disproportionality is an issue for the children and families in the child welfare system. But have you ever wondered what it looks like in your area?
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recently released their FY 2018 Disproportionality Analysis, which among other things states that African American children are substantially more likely to be reported, investigated and removed than Anglo American children. Excerpt below, emphasis ours:
“Based on statewide data collected in FY2018, African American children are 1.7 times more likely to be reported than Anglo American children. This had been rising steadily every year from 1.5 times more likely in 2013 to 1.7 times more likely in FY2017, before remaining unchanged at 1.7 times more likely in FY2018. The same pattern can be seen in the likelihood of African American children to be investigated compared to Anglo children, which had risen steadily every year from 1.6 times more likely in 2013 to 1.9 times more likely in FY2017, from where it has remained steady in FY2018. African American children were 1.9 times more likely to be removed in FY2018, an increase from the relatively steady rates of between 1.6 and 1.7 times more likely seen between FY2013 and FY2017. Hispanic children are slightly less likely than Anglo children to be reported, investigated, or removed, while Other children are 2.3 times more likely to be reported, equally likely to be investigated, and slightly less likely to be removed compared to Anglo children. Overall disproportionality for Hispanic and Other children has remained relatively steady since 2013.”
Wondering if this is what’s happening in your area? Get the facts.