Race plays a pivotal role in the experiences of children in the child welfare system. This book offers mental health professionals insights and recommendations for supporting children of color in the child welfare system. Children of color face increased developmental and clinical challenges as a result of their experiences in the child welfare system. These challenges include a decline in their immediate and long-term academic and educational progress, an increased likelihood of entering the juvenile justice system, and an increased likelihood of being dissatisfied with counseling and other support services received while in out-of-home placements. By understanding the challenges that these children face, as well as best practices for supporting them, professionals in the child welfare system can improve outcomes for these children. Children of Color in the Child Welfare System is an essential resource for researchers, counselors and clinicians who work in the child welfare system, as well as those designing interventions to help children and their families.
Yvette R. Harris, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio. She received her doctorate from the University of Florida, with a specialization in cognitive development. Her scholarly work for the past 30 years has focused on exploring environmental contributions to preschool and school age cognitive development, with a specific focus on African American children and parents from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Her research has been published in a variety of national and international journals, and she has co-authored three books on African American children. Gloria Oliver Carper, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist at Oxford Psychological, LLC, in Arlington, Virginia. She received her doctorate from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a concentration in developmental psychology. Dr. Carpenter's scholarship has focused on health disparities and parent involvement as a route to improve academic and social-emotional outcomes for children. She completed a T-32 Research Fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center focused on children with sickle cell disease and other pain-related illnesses. She teaches at Northern Kentucky University and at Montgomery College in Maryland.
I. Framing the Issues Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of Material to Be Covered in the Book Chapter 2: Demographics on Children of Color in the Child Welfare System Chapter 3: Legislation and Children of Color in the Child Welfare System II. Out-of-Home Placement and Clinical and Developmental Processes Chapter 4: Unaccompanied/Undocumented Immigrant Children in the U.S. Chapter 5: African American Children Chapter 6: Asian American Children Chapter 7: Native American Children Chapter 8: Latinx Children Chapter 9: Multiracial Children III. Programs of Support and Best Practices Chapter 10: Family Reunification Chapter 11: Adoption Chapter 12: Transitioning Out Chapter 13: Strategies and Solutions for Undocumented/Unaccompanied Children IV. Moving Forward Chapter 14: Decreasing Disproportionality of Children of Color in the Child Welfare System Chapter 15: Recap Unanswered Questions and New Directions
