Project Description
Subject Summary, February 2009
Authors: Susan J. Wells & Angela Neal
The African American Disparities Committee of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, with assistance from the University of Minnesota conducted a case study that involved following neglect cases from the time of substantiation through a minimum of eighteen months or case closure (whichever came first). This study was conducted in an effort to improve methodologies used to examine possible racial disparities in the child welfare system. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis, answers to the following three research questions were sought: (1) What factors are associated with the selection and delivery of child welfare services to families? (2) Do services differ by race (specifically African American versus Caucasian) when controlling for other factors that impact service placement decisions? and (3) What factors, including race, are most influential in determining the placement of a child in out-of-home care?
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CASCW’s subject summaries were developed by affiliated faculty within the School of Social Work from 2004–2010. Child welfare-relevant evaluation findings, which include current policies and practices affecting Title IV-E eligible families and children, are incorporated into these supplemental training materials.
Each Subject Summary contains features such as discussion questions, selected references, additional resources, suggested guest speakers and a PowerPoint presentation.
