How Do Families Experience and Interact with CPS?

Abstract

The lived experiences of child protective services (CPS)–involved parents is rarely considered from a social justice perspective. Parents and children endure the oversight of the child welfare system in myriad ways, and these experiences usually vary based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. This article explores how CPS interactions affect family dynamics and well-being and how family members view their experiences with CPS, including their sense of autonomy and empowerment. I focus on the inherent power dynamics between CPS workers and parents, race and ethnicity, and family. I highlight the perspectives of parents and their intended (rather than unintentional) parental behaviors (e.g., providing healthy food choices) to understand ways in which their socioecological contexts impact the well-being of their children. I report results of a pilot study designed to enhance the voices of parents in the literature and provide recommendations for policy and practice that inform innovative solutions to better support CPS-involved families.

Racial Disproportionality and Disparities in the Child Welfare System: Why Do They Exist, and What Can Be Done to Address Them?

“…In addition to studies that have used statistical analyses to examine the role of race, a large body of qualitative studies has documented the experience of Black families encountering bias in their interactions with child welfare systems (see, for example, Merritt, this volume). These studies have consistently documented Black families’ experiences of disrespectful treatment, cultural misunderstandings, harsh judgments of differing parenting styles, and a lack of culturally appropriate services (e.g., Harris and Hackett 2008; K.…”

Racism in child welfare: Ethical considerations of harm

“…40 Yet, both children and their parents can experience stress and trauma from the intrusiveness of CPS involvement, its processes and associated stigma. 41 If a child is removed from the home, even if only temporarily, harm can be suffered. 42 Child removal is associated with greater consequent risk for homelessness, poor education, economic hardship, unemployment, poor physical and mental health, and increased involvement with the criminal justice system.…”

Ensuring Authentic Representation and Collaboration Along with Research to Re-Design Child Welfare

“…The country continues to grapple with the atrocious racism throughout its history and its continuation today. No part of society is immune from racism, including the child welfare system, where racial disproportionality and disparities have been persistently documented (e.g., Dettlaff et al, 2020; Font et al, 2012; Merritt, 2020; Merritt, 2021; Putnam-Hornstein et al, 2021). Increasingly there have been calls for the child welfare system to adopt an anti-racist lens to create racial equity for the children and families it serves (e.g., Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2021; Jawetz et al, 2021; Wells et al, 2009).…”

“…Barth et al (2021) cite the research of Chaffin et al (2012) and Drake et al (2017) that surveillance bias increased reports to child protective services less than 2% of the time. Without debating if this is accurate or if other studies about surveillance should be included (e.g., Merritt, 2020; Widom et al, 2015), we would like to consider the scenario of presenting this information to a group that is working to re-design child welfare services. For people with lived expertise in the child welfare system and programs in the group, this fact could negate their experiences and knowledge.…”