Overrepresentation of Native American Children in Foster Care: An Independent Construct?

Abstract

National foster care disparity rates for Native American, African-American, and Hispanic children were examined using correlational and linear regression models confirmed by bootstrapping procedures. African-American disparity and Hispanic disparity were predicted by disparity of the other groups, but Native American disparity was not predicted by other groups. Findings support the hypothesis that an independent construct is operating for Native American disparity, suggesting the need for unique policies and practices to address Native American overrepresentation in foster care.

A History of Childhood Maltreatment and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among Native American Adults

“…In addition to issues such as poverty, substance abuse, and mental health problems, childhood maltreatment, and the resulting disruptions to families and tribes, is emerging as a serious concern among Native American communities (National Child Welfare Resource Center for Tribes, 2011;Whitekiller-Drywater, 2014). Though the Indian Child Welfare Act (1978) was intended to provide additional protections for Native American children and families in need of child welfare services due to maltreatment, these families continue to be disproportionately at greater risk than other cultural groups for poor outcomes in safety, permanency, and well-being (i.e., health, mental health, and education; Lawler, LaPlante, Giger, & Norris, 2012;Whitekiller-Drywater, 2014).…”

Family Group Conferencing: An Indigenous Practice Approach to Compliance With the Indian Child Welfare Act

“…Others suggest ineffectual child welfare policies and initiatives that are not suited to address diversity among populations are a primary contributing factor (Hines, Lemon, Wyatt, & Merdinger, 2004). Finally, the overrepresentation of American Indian children can possibly be the result of an unnamed diverse independent construct that warrants further exploration (Lawler et al, 2012).…”

“…This has further been compounded by subsequent legislation that seeks to redefine an Indian family and the reinstitution of mainstream perceptions concerning the best interest of Indian children (Cross, 2006;Strong, 2005). It is especially important to note that the overrepresentation of racial minority children, especially Native children in child welfare, continues as a trend in the United States (Lawler, Laplante, Giger, & Norris, 2012;Magruder & Shaw, 2008;U.S. Census Bureau, 2010).…”

Is Family Group Conferencing a Culturally Adequate Method outside the Origin of New Zealand? A Systematic Review

“…Indigenous children are over-represented in social services and are placed in out-of-home care at rates that exceed their representation in the overall population of high-income countries (Carter, 2010;Church Ii, Gross, & Baldwin, 2005;Lawler, LaPlante, Giger, & Norris, 2012;Shlonsky, Macvean, Devine, Mildon, & Barlow, 2013;Sinha, Ellenbogen, & Trocmé, 2013;Smith, 2012). This is a long-term effect of assimilation and oppression of indigenous population and society (Duran & Duran, 1995;Duran, Firehammer, & Gonzalez, 2008;Eidheim, 1970;Evans-Campbell, 2008).…”