Make a Difference: Be the Change for Children of Color
It is time for us to accept that we need to do better by our children of color in the child welfare system of Illinois, as well as in our communities. The welfare of children is not the sole responsibility of the child welfare system or any one system. As neighbors, family members and teachers, we need to be held accountable for all the children, especially children of color, that we come into contact with in our everyday life.
The current state of the child welfare system mirrors the greater inequities within our society. Children of color continue to be disproportionally represented no matter the percentage of the population. As noted by the National Conference of State Legislatures, children of color represent 33% of the youth in the child welfare system, while they make up only 15% of the children in the nation's general population. Of 16,000 youth in Illinois foster care, 54% are youth of color. This speaks to the inequality and social injustices black and brown families have experienced since slavery.
It is hard to admit that implicit racism is everywhere, including our child welfare system, where racial disparities exist at every level. It begins with more reportings of abuse and neglect among families of color, which can sometimes be attributed to their socio-economic levels and the public's racial bias. Once in the system, there are longer periods of stay in foster care for children of color: 1,186 days compared with 913 days for white children. This nearly nine-month difference results in a much slower success rate to achieve a permanent family environment as well as long-term negative consequences in adult life.
As a model for the outside world, our own agency is improving on engagement with families by partnering with them and asking what they need to be successful. We are better training our staff to objectively look at how their biases may contribute to disparate outcomes, and we are working together with the judicial system to better navigate court processes for our children of color.
It's time to accept the responsibility of our roles and take action as a people. It's about the well-being of all children, and it takes everyone to help families be successful. Most importantly, remember that people want the same thing for their children, but can get off track when faced with struggles that would be daunting for any family.
How can we move the needle to make a difference for children of color?
To begin, we suggest looking for ways to support struggling families in your community, so that they don't even come into contact with the child welfare system. For example, offer to look after children, act as a mentor or tutor, participate in your local church outreach programs and serve as a role model for at-risk youth. Doing so is not just a responsibility, but a tremendous opportunity to change lives.
We must be committed to ensure all youth and families are treated equitably in our communities. This pledge also works to support reunification, family-strengthening and personal growth in the child welfare system. Our children of color deserve a better future. We must never give up on them.
ABOUT LUTHERAN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES OF ILLINOIS (LCFS of Illinois)
Lutheran Children and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS of Illinois) is a non-profit dedicated to improving the well-being of people across the state by protecting children, strengthening families and building futures for those who have experienced trauma. After more than 145 years, LCFS of Illinois has grown into the second-largest community-based child welfare agency in Illinois, with regional sites in Chicago, Belleville, Decatur, Joliet, Kankakee, Mt. Vernon, Oak Brook, Quincy and Springfield. For more information, visit https://www.lcfs.org.