Policy Resolution CYF-20-03

WHEREAS, healthy families are vital to the success of our children and, ultimately, our nation;

WHEREAS, nationally, African American children are almost twice as likely as white children to have their well-being investigated by child protective services;

WHEREAS, African American women and their children have long been over represented in the child welfare system, and while African American children represent 15 percent of the nation’s children, they account for 45 percent of the foster care population and are four times as likely as white children to be in foster care;

WHEREAS, as a percentage of the general population, African American children are five times more likely to be in out-of-home care and are nearly twice as likely to enter care for “parent reasons” than Caucasian children, and African American families are more likely to be reported for neglect;

WHEREAS, in Minnesota alone, African American children are 16.3 times as likely as Caucasian children to be placed out of home during a child protection assessment;

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) believes that it is best to protect the best interests of African American children and to promote the stability and security of African American families to prevent arbitrary and unnecessary removal of African American children from their families;

WHEREAS, the creation of an African American Child Welfare Advisory Council in our states, would work to address disparities at major decision points while providing oversight and accountability to the child protection workforce; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to protect children and strengthen families, reduce the overall cost of child welfare services and out of home placement, reduce law enforcement and judicial system costs for intervention, improve the mental health and social function of African American children, and improve the child protection department’s efficacy.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) encourages state policymakers and their membership to increase their awareness of the statistics surrounding the treatment of African American children and families in our existing institutions;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL further urges states to enact legislation to close to protect African American children and allow them to stay in safe home environments and work to reduce unnecessary government intervention into their homes and disruptions of family unit; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the Unites States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials and agencies as appropriate.

• SPONSOR(S): Senator Jeff Hayden(MN) and Representative Rena Moran (MN)
  
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Children, Youth, and Families Policy Committee
  
• Certified by Committee Co-Chairs: Representative. Robin Shackleford (IN) and Representative Pebblin Warren (AL)
  
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 6, 2019
  
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), President