Briefs

Poverty is the greatest threat to child well-being. Child neglect, the most common reason for child welfare intervention, is often the result of poverty rather than parental maltreatment. Furthermore, child removal and out-of-home care remains standard practice in child neglect cases. Separation of children and families is detrimental, and especially traumatic for BIPOC children, who are removed at a disproportionate rate compared to white children. Short- and long-term access to economic support and social services ensure families can invest in the long-term well-being of their children.

This P4C brief provides an introductory history of foster care and relevant historical context, critical to understanding how the current system reflects and upholds systemic racism in its policy and practice. Since its establishment in the late 19th century, the foster care system has been a microcosm of broader systemic violence against communities of color. The foster care system was originally predicated on the well-being of white children and families, and many of its present day policies continue to reflect a myopic understanding of child welfare. Harmful effects of the foster care system must be fully understood to envision, create, and enact a future that protects and ensures safety for all children.

Currently it is routine practice for officers in nearly half of U.S. corrections institutions to physically restrain pregnant and laboring women. Restraining pregnant women poses health and developmental risks to the mother and baby. Heeding these concerns, many states and federal agencies have passed policies limiting the use of restraints on this population. Federal legislation could ban the use of restraints on pregnant women in all corrections institutions, including jails, prisons, and detention centers, unless a legitimate safety or security concern exists.

Entry into the foster care system can be a traumatic experience for children which can have many lasting negative effects. Burgeoning state and city practices offer ideas about how we can improve the relationships between birth parents and caregivers to maintain connection and support children. Supporting the connection of birth parents and caregivers is a key area for improving systems. Establishing the Family Connection Program puts the needs of children in the center and supports families in Washington.

In 2020, Partners for Our Children will promote policies that keep children and relationships at the center, helping ensure that Washington's children, youth, and famileis will have the services and support they need to thrive

Parents involved with the child welfare system have numerous barriers that can prevent and/or delay reunification with their children. Many parents struggle with substance use disorders (SUDs) which impact their relationships with their children and the child welfare system in a myriad of ways. In the spring of 2018, we conducted a thorough literature review and stakeholder interviews. Our goals were to understand available treatment services for parents who are child-welfare involved, barriers to accessing treatment, and to create recommendations that may improve outcomes for parents impacted by SUDs and their children.

On November 1, 2019, the Trump Administration issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would enable Health and Human Services grantees, including Child Placing Agencies, to discriminate against individuals on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. An immediate Notice of Nonenforcement of current protections was issued along with the proposed rule. The passage of this rule has the potential to reduce significantly the number of licensed foster and adoptive homes available and limit significantly the placement of LGBTQ+ children in homes affirming their identity. Public comment is accepted on the Federal Register until 12/19/19.

Want to learn more about The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)? We are pleased to share this research brief about ICWA, the impact of the law on reducing the number of American Indian/Alaskan Native (AIAN) Children placed in out-of-home care across the United States, and remaining disparities . To ensure we continue to improve well-being outcomes for AIAN children, a full commitment is required to implement the law as it stands.

Partners for Our Children is pleased to share our 2019 state policy priorities

We're pleased to share our 2019 state policy priorities.