Blacks, Native Americans more likely to go to foster care, By Michelle Cole, September 28, 2009, The Oregonian: “Child abuse doesn’t discriminate by race in Oregon. Authorities say the abuse rate is the same for white families as it is for minorities. And yet, Native American children are six times more likely to be placed in Oregon foster care than white children and African Americans are four times more likely than whites. Children from both of those minority groups remain in state care longer. Meanwhile, Hispanic children are less likely to be taken into state protective custody. If they do go to a foster home, they’re returned to their families sooner. New research from Portland State University underscores what child welfare officials have known for years: Some minorities are disproportionately represented in the state’s foster care system…”
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty