Understanding family investigations. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by family dynamics? 🤔 You’re not alone. Many families are disproportionately involved in investigations that can affect their well-being. Let’s explore how these situations arise and how we can navigate them together. Join the conversation and share your thoughts or experiences. Your insights matter! #FamilyMatters #SupportEachOther #CommunityEngagement #FamilyInvestigation
While evidence indicates that families from specific racial and ethnic backgrounds are disproportionately involved with Child Protective Services (CPS) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau, 2022a), significant questions remain regarding whether this trend stems from biased decision-making within child welfare agencies.
Researchers have identified six primary factors contributing to this disproportionality: (1) the varying and unequal needs of children from different racial and ethnic groups; (2) the awareness of bias, especially implicit bias, and its influence on our information processing and perceptions of individuals and situations, is crucial for recognizing how these biases can impact judicial decision-making.
Families of color are more likely to be referred to the court system in both juvenile justice and child welfare contexts.
It is essential to ensure that our judgments about a youth’s responsibility and potential are not swayed by biases related to race, class, or ethnicity, and to strive for impartial decision-making. One effective approach to mitigate bias is to adopt the perspective that most youth behavior is typical for their developmental stage and that they are open to guidance. We must ensure that all decisions are appropriate for the youth’s development, enhance their chances of success while considering public safety, and are based on an objective evaluation of the youth rather than on bias.
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