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What is Dis·pro·por·tion·al·i·ty ? |
Disproportionality is the overrepresentation of an ethnic or cultural group within a particular program or system. In our state, African-American children are represented in the Texas Child Protective Services system at a much higher rate than their percentage of the population.
Did you know that African American children in Texas:
• are referred to Child Protective
Services (CPS) more than others,
• are more likely than White or Hispanic children to be reported as victims of child abuse or neglect,
• are more likely to be
removed from their homes,
• spend much more time in foster care and are less likely to be returned to their families,
• wait longer to be adopted than
children of other ethnicities, and
• have a greater chance of turning 18 and leaving foster care before they are adopted.
THE VISION OF OUR COMMITTEE
To identify and develop ways to address the negative impact of systemic and historic racism in the CPS system and other youth-serving institutions, to alleviate their continuing effects on families, children and communities.
Our purpose is to help citizens learn why it happens, to understand who is affected by it, to find out what is being done by Child Protective Services to put a stop to it, and to identify what you can do to help.
"This is not just a systems issue here dealing with Child Protective Services. It also impacts the school system, juvenile justice system, criminal justice systems -- all of the systems that deal with black youth." - Ora Houston. ADAC commitee member |
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The NEXT
Austin Disproportionality
TOWN HALL MEETING
will be held on
February 3rd, 2011
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
• Carver Library - 1161 Angelina Street
• Special Guest speaker -
Audrey Deckinga,
Assistant Commissioner
She will be addressing
Foster Care Redesign
• Learn about our Advisory group, and how you can help
• Supervision for children available during the meeting
• Light supper provided
••• Ask a CPS
representative policy questions •••
• Voice your opinion on
issues pertaining to CPS, disproportionality, and adoption
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
BRING YOUR NEIGHBORS!!
View or
download the TOWN HALL pdf. here
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A Message from our Chairman
Ray Hendricks |
Our CPS Liaison
Damaris Nicholson
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"We are very fortunate to have an opportunity to serve as an advisory committee to address the disproportionality of African American Families that exists in the Department of Family and Protective Services. Since 2006, this committee has been meeting, learning, and informing the community about the effects that the disproportionality of African Americans in Child Protective Services has in our society. As a result of the insight and leadership of our State Legislators, Commissioner Ann Heligenstein, Deputy Commissioner Joyce James, Deputy Commissioner Audrey Deckinga, and countless others, we are coming together and effectively addressing this problem."
"We are hopeful that this site will be used as a tool for all to use, to be informed, share information, and better inspire others to help eradicate the disproportionality that is presently destroying lives and families."
- Rev. Ray Hendricks
Chairman, Austin/Travis County
Disproportionality Advisory Committee |
"It is my pleasure to serve as the liaison between Child Protective Services and this group, the Austin Disproportionality Advisory Committee. It is important for Child Protective Services to support families, be accountable to the community, and strive to create and maintain a positive working relationship. The Austin Disproportionality Advisory Committee was created by the Legislature to inform and review CPS policies and procedures and work to eliminate disproportionality in our system. This advisory committee will provide a strong voice, helping us fulfill our pledge."
- D. Nicholson, CPS 512-834-3424 |
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Notes:
Austin City Manager Marc Ott will be the speaker at the Adult Forum on Sunday, February 6th, from 9:05a. - 10:00a. St. James' Episcopal Church is located at 1941 Webberville Road, two blocks south of Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd.
Tim Wise will be at St. James' on Thursday, February 24th, 7:00p. - 9:00p. A $10 donation is suggested. Sponsored by St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, University of Texas and St. James' Episcopal Church.
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Our Meetings
NEXT MEETING
Thurs July 21, 2011
Advisory Meetings are held every 3rd Thursday at 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Ronald McDonald House from 5:30-7:30 pm. Here are the dates for the remainder of the year:
February 17, 2011
March 7, 2011
April 21, 2011
May 19, 2011
June 16, 2011
July 21, 2011
August 18, 2011
September 15, 2011
October 20, 2011
November 17, 2011
December 15, 2011
VERY IMPORTANT LINK:
TEXAS Department of Family and Protective Services
Protecting children, the elderly, and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/
DFPS has posted November 2010 statistics about children in foster care at www.dfps.state.tx.us/PCS/regional_care.asp
Latest News |
July, 2011
This article points out what we already know in terms of disproportionality in the education system. We should continue to advocate for our children and address these systemic issues.
January, 2011
"Advocate of the Year"
Sonia Kotecha
On February 3rd, Sonia Kotecha, member of the Austin Disproportionality Advisory Committee, will be recognized by the Capital Area Asian American Democrats as 'Advocate of the Year'. In addition to her work at Court Appointed Special Advocates of Travis County, (CASA) Sonia has been extremely active in the South Asian community with a focus on community engagement. Other individuals who will be honored on the 3rd include Rep. Rafael Anchia (Legislator of the Year) and Ronnie Earle (Lifetime Achievement).
Please join us in congratulating Sonia Kotecha for this much deserved recognition and for her work with the Austin Advisory Committee.
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This is a reminder that we will be having our regularly scheduled advisory meeting this Thursday, February 17th, 2011 at the Ronald McDonald House located at 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd. Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions.
Damaris Nicholson
Region 07 Disproportionality Specialist
14000 Summit Drive Suite 100
Austin, TX 78728
512-834-3424
New Regional Director:
Sheila Brown
I am pleased to announce the selection of Shelia Brown as the Region 7 CPS Regional Director. Ms. Brown brings a wealth of experience in Child Protective Services in Texas, starting as a caseworker and eventually serving as Regional Director from 2008 - 2010. Ms. Brown has two master's degrees, one in Sociology and one in Social Work. Ms. Brown has a demonstrated history of collaborating well with community stakeholders such as judges, child welfare boards, and the many advocacy groups who work closely with CPS. Ms. Brown will assume her duties on January 31, 2011.
I want to give a special thank you to Lisa Black, Region 3 CPS RD and Jackie Freeman, Region 3 CPS Deputy Director. These two ladies volunteered to assist me in running Region 7 during the hiring process. They provided a sense of stability and support for the management team in Region 7 and their efforts are greatly appreciated
Colleen McCall
CPS Director of Field
512-438-3309
Combating Disproportionality in Child Protective Services
By Damaris Nicholson,
CPS and Austin Disproportionality Liason
On November 16, 2010, former foster youth, state and community leaders came together for the 4th Annual Disproportionality Conference in Austin, Texas. They came together to celebrate the victories of reducing the high number of children of color in the Texas foster care system. They came to inspire each other to advocate for equity and to challenge a system in hopes of improving outcomes for all children, youth and families. This conference served as a celebration of the groundbreaking work that has occurred in Texas since 2004, and a call to action to continue making positive change. Disproportionality is an over-representation of an ethnic or cultural group within a particular program or system; in this case, children of color in the Child Protective Services (cps) system. And while there are many contributing factors, including poverty, at the root of the issue is the systemic institutionalized racism that over the years has resulted in negative consequences for children, youth and families. And when we improve outcomes for children of color, in essence, we are improving outcomes for all children, youth and families.
In Austin Texas, African American children make up roughly 12% of the child’s population, yet they are removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect at a rate of 26%. In comparison, white children make up 36% of the child population, yet are removed from their homes at about 32% of the child population. By analyzing this data, cps learned that even when poverty, race and ethnicity of caseworkers were taken into consideration, these removal rates were skewed. This led to the fundamental notion that this over-representation is caused by imbedded practices in our system that are not equitable, and lead to disparate outcomes for children, youth and families of color.
With this work, courageous conversations must be had with people across all races. The idea is not to debate, contradict or even change the others mind, but to be able to get to a place where despite differences, culture is valued with respect to the families served. The Department of Family and Protective Services has implemented trainings across the state in order to begin these conversations. Through “Undoing Racism” and “Knowing Who You Are” trainings, stakeholders and staff come
Away with an understanding that they can no longer shy away from a topic that has been so difficult for many to discuss. It has allowed conversations with other systems that families encounter each and every day. This is why it is so important to build relationships with one another, to identify allies from across cultures for a better understanding of individualism and roles played in every day life.
Addressing disproportionality is a responsibility of the community, for workers in the cps system and otherwise. Vertical and horizontal accountability within the system and across systems is key. Rolando Garza, Deputy Executive Commissioner of Health and Human Services said recently, “within the walls in which we work, in the cubicles and offices, those places have to be a vibrant laboratory and a catalyst for change.” It is time to take back our common humanity and advocate for equitable treatment for all of our community’s families. To learn more about disproportionality in child welfare, and to become part of the conversation, continue to visit our site and participate in our meetings.
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Disproportionality
Advisory Committee –
Neither Fish nor Fowl?
Ms. Ora Houston, Community Member, Austin Advisory Committee
The overarching context for the ‘work’ we are passionate about is captured in the word “partnership.” How many of you reading this are married, have been or currently in a committed relationship? Then you know that partnerships take a lot of work and a lot of energy. Partnerships have internal and an external dynamics. Partnerships have an expectation that there is a commitment which is long term and constant. Partnerships suggest dedication and financial responsibility. The partnership between Child Protective Services and the Advisory Committee must be defined so that each entity is aware of their purpose, the expectations and the outcomes.
As the purpose of the Advisory Committee continues to be hammered out, a conversation must also be held about the role of citizens on the Advisory Committee? There are four key questions, at a minimum that must be clarified. What is the role of community members? How are they held accountable? What is the sustainability of the roles and tasks assigned? How are resources allocated?
The Advisory Committee is composed of stakeholders from other systems that impact children, youth and their parent(s). The voice of community members is critical and needs to be heard at the table when decisions are made. They are able to engage citizens who are not usually involved with the agency and the citizens who are part of the system and/or those who are at risk of entering the system. Community members are in a position to push back against, “that’s the way we have always done it” mentality found in all bureaucracies. Members of the community can ask, “Why and Why not?” Community members are free to approach legislators to advance the vision and goals of the agency. One of the major challenges is the infrequent and irregular engagement of community members. Most have not been involved from the onset; therefore the need for new member orientation is ever present.
Accountability is very nebulous and difficult to track from the stand point of the agency, so how stakeholders and members of the community are held accountable deserves discussion. The clarity of expectations and roles is an important part of insuring that the Committee works efficiently and effectively. A plan must be developed and objectives/outcomes viewed on an annual basis. There must be transparency. Who responds to suggestions and recommendations from community members? With whom does the buck stop?
Sustainability is a huge issue that must be dealt with. How will the agency and the Committee continue moving forward? It will take years for the community and people who use the system to develop a relationship with staff based on trust, open communication and credibility, outcomes that all stakeholders seek. Community members are volunteers. They come and they go. They bring different skill sets, different levels of interest. It is critical to have staff of the agency anchor the Committee in order for there to be consistency and stability going forward.
The Advisory Committee is an unfunded mandate. The lack of financial resources from the agency is a barrier. The Committee is dependent on donations and kindness from people and other organizations to do the ‘work’ required by Senate Bill 6. To respond to the needs of the community and the agency, members of the Committee must secure contributions or solicit pro bono support. The need to have access to minimum funding was not clearly developed prior to implementation.
As I indicated earlier, our ‘work’ calls for a partnership between the agency, stakeholders and members of the community. It will take time, energy, commitment, support, some funding and a willingness to stay in conversation as the above issues are addressed.
Questions & Answers... |
Q: What does disproportionality in Texas CPS look like?
A: A 2004 study showed that African-American children made up 12% of the population, but were involved in 19% of the reports of child abuse or neglect in Texas. Black children made up 26% of the children removed from their homes, and a total of 29% of the children in foster care. When the researchers accounted for other factors, like poverty, they found that African-American children were not removed from their homes more than others, but they did stay in foster care longer. That same study showed that African-American families were less likely to be offered in-home services by CPS.
Q: What is the committee's relationship to Child Protective Services?
A: The law the Texas Legislature passed in 2005 to reform the Department of Family and Protective Services required DFPS to work with “community groups, agencies, faith-based organizations, and other community organizations” to provide better services to children of all ethnicities. One way DFPS has done this is by turning to community advisory committees like the Austin Disproportionality Advisory Committee. While CPS is represented on the committee and provides it with some staff support, the committee is an independent group led by community members which makes recommendations to DFPS and takes action to reduce the disproportionate number of African-American children in foster care.
Q: What can I do to help stop disproportionality?
A: Join the committee. Talk to people about the problem. Help your friends and neighbors understand what disproportionality is and that there is a group of people working to fix it. Click on the You Can Help link to find out how you can join with us to rectify this problem' |
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