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Published on: January 12, 2018
Comparative analysis of two community-based efforts designed to impact disproportionality
1University of Iowa School of Social Work, National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. brad-richardson@uiowa.edu
The Minority Youth and Families Initiative (MYFI) pilot projects in Iowa reduced racial disparities in child welfare. Two years of data show improved family functioning and child outcomes, demonstrating the initiative's success.
Area of Science:
- Child Welfare Research
- Racial Disparities in Social Services
- Family Systems Intervention
Background:
- Children of color are disproportionately represented in Iowa's child welfare system, at twice the rate of their population.
- Existing child welfare practices may contribute to racial inequities.
- Addressing overrepresentation requires targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Minority Youth and Families Initiative (MYFI) pilot projects.
- To assess the impact of MYFI on Native American and African American children in the child welfare system.
- To identify improvements for practice, research, and evaluation in reducing racial disparities.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of two pilot demonstration projects (MYFI) by the Iowa Department of Human Services in 2005.
- Two-year ongoing evaluation of project outcomes.
- Data collection on worker-participant alliance, family functioning, and child outcomes.
Main Results:
- Improved worker and participant alliance observed.
- Enhanced family functioning reported.
- Positive outcomes for children in the child welfare system noted.
Conclusions:
- The MYFI pilot projects demonstrated success in mitigating racial disparities.
- Findings suggest that targeted initiatives can improve child welfare system outcomes.
- Recommendations are provided for enhancing practice, research, and evaluation to further reduce inequities.
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