Child Welfare Practice to Address Racial Disproportionality and Disparity (2 credit hours)

Program Summary:   This course explores the problem of racial disproportionality and disparity in child welfare.  The course describes the multiple factors that contribute to racial disproportionality and disparity, including disproportionate and disparate needs of children of diverse backgrounds, individual discrimination and racial bias, child welfare system factors, geography, policy, and structural racism.  Multiple strategies are given to address racial disproportionality and disparity in the child welfare system.

This course is recommended for social workers and counselors and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  

Book  Open the Course Reading Here.

Course Reading:  Child Welfare Practice to Address Racial Disproportionality and Disparity

Publisher:  Children’s Bureau

Course Objectives:  To enhance professional practice, values, skills and knowledge by exploring racial disproportionality and disparity in child welfare

Learning Objectives:  Identify contributing factors to racial disproportionality and disparity in child welfare.  Identify systemwide strategies to address racial disproportionality and disparity.  Identify casework strategies to address racial disproportionality and disparity.

Review our pre-reading study guide.

Course Available Until: April 30, 2026.

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1: Which term describes the overrepresentation or underrepresentation of a racial or ethnic group compared with its percentage of the population?
 
 
 
 
2: In 2019, African-American children accounted for roughly 14 percent of the child population and ___________ percent of the foster care population.
 
 
3: In 2019, White children made up half of the child population and _____________ of the foster care population.
 
 
4: Asian children are ___________-represented in the nation's child welfare system.
 
 
5: Overt acts of discrimination are examples of ___________- bias.
 
 
6: Which is an example of policy or legislation that disproportionately impacts African-American families and families impacted by parental incarceration?
 
 
 
 
7: Which of the following is an enduring consequence of structural racism?
 
 
 
 
8: According to the most recent available data, 58% of child welfare social workers are _____________.
 
 
 
 
9: The Project Implicit website has a free test to explore
 
 
 
 
10: Providing access to concrete supports may impact racial disproportionality in the child welfare system.
 
 
11: Using linked data from existing datasets to identify patterns that could predict future outcomes is an example of
 
 
 
 
12: New York's Nassau County significantly reduced racial disparities in foster care using
 
 
 
 
13: Culturally _____________ services are designed to respond respectfully and effectively to people of various cultures.
 
 
14: Fathers and mothers with prior child welfare experience who have been successful in overcoming the obstacles in their own lives and are ready to support other parents describe which of the following?
 
 
 
 
15: When placing children with foster and adoptive families, it is ideal to secure homes that are reflective of, and responsive to, children's
 
 
 
 
 

In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to log in. If you do not have an account, you will need to register for a free account.

After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course.

G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course.  She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience.  She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City. She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital/medical social work.  The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.

Course Available Until: April 30, 2026.
Filed under: Children, Cultural Competence