It is common knowledge that there is an overrepresentation of children of color in the foster care system. What you may not know is that overrepresentation is even more pronounced when it comes to children of color being cared for by their grandparents.
According to data from Generations United, 14% of children in the U.S. are African American, yet of children being cared for by grandfamilies, 25% are African American. Racial overrepresentation is also prevalent in the American Indian and Alaska Native grandfamilies.
The Family Focused Treatment Association's Kinship Committee will host a roundtable discussion featuring the stories of kinship caregivers and their journeys at the intersection of kinship care and race. This roundtable will support an honest and open dialogue among caregivers, and the professionals that work with them, to shed light on their experiences as families of color caring for kin.
Many kinship families experience biases and inequitable access to services in their roles as caregivers. Some of the stories of kinship families of color speak of implicit and explicit biases, negative assumptions, systemic racism, intergenerational trauma and more. We’re eager to listen to the story behind the story so that we can provide better care and support for our families.
This conversation will be moderated by Jasmine Nutt, MSW, Program Supervisor at Lilliput, a part of Wayfinder Family Services & Justin Williams, MS. Ed, Associate Director of Foster Care at Turning Points for Children. Kinship caregivers are encouraged to attend and participate in our conversation. Please register in advance.
Register here