Publication year: 2011
Source: Children and Youth Services Review, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 25 February 2011
Hansung, Kim , David, Chenot , Juye, Ji
The purpose of the study is to examine racial/ethnic disparity among children and families that are involved with the child welfare system. Specifically, the authors explore whether or not disparity levels and long-term changes in disparity in California child welfare systems are significant. In addition, the study investigates how county characteristics such as child poverty rates, unemployment rates, and rurality are associated with levels of disparity and changes in racial/ethnic disparity over time. Using a Latent Growth Curve (LGC) modeling approach, the study estimated the trajectories of county-level Disparity Index (DI) scores (Shaw Putnam-Hornstein, Magruder, & Needell, 2008). African American…
Research Highlights: ►This study examines long-term trends in disparity in California child welfare systems using a Latent Growth Curve (LGC) modeling approach. ►Disparity between African American and Caucasian children was significant, but disparity between Hispanic/Latino and Caucasian children was not significant. ►Levels of disparity remained constant over time. ►Higher child poverty rates, higher unemployment rates and rurality were related to lower levels of disparity. ►Unemployment rates were associated with increasing rates of change in entries disparity between African American and Caucasian children. ►Urbanicity was associated with increasing rates of change in substantiated allegations disparity between Hispanic/Latino and Caucasian children.