African American Children and Families in Child Welfare

Ramona W. Denby is professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, School of Social Work. Carla M. Curtis is associate professor at the Ohio State University College of Social Work.

This text proposes corrective action to improve the institutional care of African American children and their families, calling attention to the specific needs of this population and the historical, social, and political factors that have shaped its experience within the child welfare system. Ramona W. Denby and Carla M. Curtis critique policy and research and suggest culturally targeted program and policy responses for more positive outcomes. The book is a must-read, well conceived and scholarly, yet contains many practical strategies for social reform. The authors succeed admirably in illustrating a framework of cultural adaptation that can be used to enhance the delivery of services to African American children and their families. Outstanding features are the articulation of relevant history and child welfare laws, and a masterful integration of policy, practice, and research. -- Tony Tripodi, series editor of Pocket Guides to Social Work Research Methods Denby and Curtis offer an evidence-based, user-friendly blueprint for persons interested in bringing immediate and effective change to the quality of services provided to African American children and their families in the child welfare system. Engagingly written, the book highlights the integration of practice, policy, and research; provides study tools and resources such as discussion questions, recommended projects or assignments, and a glossary; makes recommendations for policy, practice, and research that can guide interventions with African American children and their families; and offers a brilliantly conceptualized and creatively executed cultural adaptation approach for serving the needs of African American families and children in the child welfare system. -- Sadye L. M. Logan, University of South Carolina College of Social Work This is an extremely informative 'how to' book that provides a very comprehensive analysis of child welfare service delivery to African American children and families from historical, cultural, policy, research, and practice perspectives. Calling for the utilization of culturally adapted interventions, the authors convincingly provide the justification, challenges, and specific examples of this approach in successfully achieving the outcomes of safety, permanency, and well-being. -- Ruth G. McRoy, The University of Texas at Austin, School of Social Work This timely book offers new insights by systematically analyzing historical antecedents, policies, case studies, and the cultural influences that have shaped the current context in which child welfare services are delivered to African American families. Both students and experienced practitioners will find this book indispensable. -- Denise Bronson, The Ohio State University College of Social Work A detailed examination of actions and policies that can improve the outcomes of minority children and their families in the child welfare field. Youth Today

• Preface Introduction 1. Cultural Adaptation in Effective Child Welfare Practice with African Americans A Cultural Adaptation Framework The New Adaptation Perspective Reforming Child Welfare Through Cultural Adaptation Cultural Adaptation and Policy Cultural Adaptation and Practice Cultural Adaptation and Research Summary and Conclusion Discussion Questions Activities for Ongoing Learning References 2. Child Welfare in Perspective: Historical Factors Influencing African American Families and Policy Formulation Sociopolitical Factors The Effect of Social and Political Factors on Policy National Child Welfare Reform Movement Summary and Conclusion Discussion Questions Activities for Ongoing Learning References 3. Child Welfare Policy and the African American Family Child Welfare Policy in Context Child Welfare Policy Framework Overview of Major Child Welfare Policy Laws Cultural Adaptations for African American Children in Child Welfare Summary and Conclusion Discussion Questions Activities for Ongoing Learning References A Case Study: Cultural Adaptation and Services-The Davis Family 4. Safety and Protection Child Abuse and Neglect Child Welfare System Components Cultural Adaptations in Support Services for African American Families Summary and Conclusion Discussion Questions Activities for Ongoing Learning References 5. Permanence for Children Defining Permanence Values Associated with Permanence The Continuum of Permanence Options Permanency Options Summary and Conclusion Discussion Questions Activities for Ongoing Learning References 6. Child and Parent Well-Being Health and Mental Health Disparities Affecting African American Children Behavioral Health Care and the Foster Care System Vulnerabilities Faced by African American Children Education Crime and Juvenile Justice Involvement The Well-Being of Parents and Caregivers Practice Considerations and Cultural Adaptations for Increasing Child and Family Well-Being Summary and Conclusion Discussion Questions Activities for Ongoing Learning References A Case Study: Cultural Adaptations and Research Initiatives-From Kinship Research to Kinship Programming 7. Cultural Adaptation and Research Evidence-Based Practice Determining Effective Interventions for African American Children and Families Advocacy Research Performance-Based Research Summary and Conclusion Discussion Questions Activities for Ongoing Learning References 8. Meeting the Challenges to Bring About Change The Importance of a Cultural Adaptation Perspective in Improving Child Welfare Conditions The Challenge to Social Work Educators The Role of Social Work Education in Implementing Planned Change The Challenge to Child Welfare Advocates and Policy Practitioners The Challenge to Social Work Practitioners The Challenge to Students of Social Work References Glossary Index