Preventing Child Maltreatment in the U.S.: the Black Community Perspective

MELISSA PHILLIPS is a psychologist in clinical practice. She identifies as a bi-cultural Black American woman who is a second generation Caribbean immigrant, which has shaped her professional development in clinical practice, teaching, and research. She is an advocate for diversity, social justice, gender equity, and immigrant issues. SHAVONNE MOORE-LOBBAN is an an African American woman, raised in a womanist-value driven family, who identifies as spiritual, and whose experiences are influenced by the intersection of these identities. She is a psychologist who specializes in trauma, promotes social justice, and advocates for mental health care in communities of color. MILTON A. FUENTES is a professor of psychology at Montclair State University in New Jersey and a licensed psychologist in New Jersey and New York. His scholarship focuses on equity, diversity and inclusion and he has authored several peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and books in this area.

"Phillips, Moore-Lobban, and Fuentes splendidly deliver a detailed and excellent conversation regarding the maltreatment of Black young bodies in the US. Their holistic lens truly captures the barriers and systems of oppression that impact these youths, and their approach to the topic is rooted in cultural humility. This approach, if used properly, could lead to both a better understanding of the dynamics involved in US Black child maltreatment, and a decrease in the number of Black youths mistreated." - Terence Fitzgerald (author of Black Males and Racism: Improving the Schooling and Life Chances of African Americans) "Practical and comprehensive, this is an invaluable resource for the child welfare community and all human service professionals. The causes, effects, and prevention efforts associated with maltreatment of Black children are meticulously addressed. Historical underpinnings and social structures that speak to unique challenges Black families face, and strengths inherent within the Black community are appropriately chronicled. With this book, the authors make a significant contribution to the literature base." - Keith A. Alford (Dean and Professor of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work) "Phillips, Moore-Lobban, and Fuentes splendidly deliver a detailed and excellent conversation regarding the maltreatment of Black young bodies in the US. Their holistic lens truly captures the barriers and systems of oppression that impact these youths, and their approach to the topic is rooted in cultural humility. This approach, if used properly, could lead to both a better understanding of the dynamics involved in US Black child maltreatment, and a decrease in the number of Black youths mistreated." - Terence Fitzgerald (author of Black Males and Racism: Improving the Schooling and Life Chances of African Americans) "Practical and comprehensive, this is an invaluable resource for the child welfare community and all human service professionals. The causes, effects, and prevention efforts associated with maltreatment of Black children are meticulously addressed. Historical underpinnings and social structures that speak to unique challenges Black families face, and strengths inherent within the Black community are appropriately chronicled. With this book, the authors make a significant contribution to the literature base." - Keith A. Alford (Dean and Professor of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work)

• Introduction1 Understanding Black Families2 The Epidemiology of Maltreatment of Black Children3 Exploring the Child Welfare System4 Child Maltreatment Prevention and Intervention5 Promoting Health and Wellness6 Advocacy and Child Welfare Reform7 Application of Prevention and Intervention: A Case Study8 Conclusion: What the Future Should HoldRecommended Readings and ResourcesReferencesIndex