Our intrinsic insight into a system that affects so many children and families gives us a unique understanding.
Lamar contributed to the most recent issue of the Child Welfare League of America Journal in the article “Navigating Racism in the Child Welfare System: The Impact on Black Children, Families and Practitioners.” As someone who is passionate about working with state, local, and national agencies to keep families together, he has the opportunity to speak about an important issue the child welfare system faces and understand it firsthand.
Confronting a Fundamental Problem
The article “Navigating Racism in the Child Welfare System: The Impact on Black Children, Families, and Practitioners” shares the stark reality of racism faced by those either working or living in this system. The child welfare system removes disproportionate numbers of Black children from their families instead of receiving in-home services.
This disproportionality translates into the frontline staff of the child welfare system—nearly half of the active social workers are Black.
This article covers how the history of the child welfare system is rooted in discrimination; its initial creation didn’t include Black children and families. The prejudice rooted here followed in future legislation.
“It has been an honor to contribute to this special issue of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) Journal. As a 20+ year practitioner in child welfare, I have referred CWLA’s guidance and best practices. Additionally, it was a particularly reflective experience for me to join trusted colleagues in writing a piece on a subject that I feel passionately about, and work to impact daily. I hope our journal contribution sparks conversation and adds perspective on the experience of Black children, families, and practitioners engaged with child welfare agencies.”
Lamar Smith, Management Consultant
Read the Full Version of the Article
The full version of the Child Welfare League of America Journal is available for purchase. Featuring authors with extensive expertise, they bring to light a very serious issue the child welfare system faces—and how to move forward.
About the Child Welfare League of America
By partnering with private and public agencies, it advocates advancing policies for better outcomes for vulnerable children, families, and youth. Their impact of improving the lives of millions of people across the country has reached worldwide.