Application of Research Findings

Application of Research Findings Student’s Name Institution Course Number and Name Instructor’s Name Date Application of Research Findings Cénat et al. (2021) conducted a systematic review with two key objectives. First, the authors sought to confirm or refute the notion that the overrepresentation of Black youth and racial disparities exist in child protection services. Second, the authors aimed to evaluate the risk and protective factors related to the observations found in the first objective. There is a lack of consensus regarding the causes of overrepresentation because of the difficulty in determining whether the issue arises from biased practices in the systems or is due to structural factors that make Black families more susceptible to involvement with child protection systems. Key inclusion criteria in the study included a sample of Black youth aged 10-17 and youth investigated and placed by child welfare. Out of the 37 studies examined by the authors, 31 evaluated racial disparities in child welfare, with 27 of them confirming that, indeed, the child welfare system is characterized by an overrepresentation of Black youth. Furthermore, these studies showed that disproportionality characterized stages of contact with child protection services from the report, investigation, allegation substantiation, placement, reentry to foster care, reunification rate, to transfer to ongoing services. Social demographic factors, gender and race and ethnicity, were associated with the overrepresentation of Black youth in child protection services. Specifically, race was the key risk factor associated with the involvement of Black youth in welfare systems. At various stages of contact with the child welfare system, Black youth were more likely to be overrepresented compared to White youth. Socio-economic status (SES) determined to a great extent whether or not a Black youth would be involved with a child welfare system. Low SES was related to a higher likelihood of Black youth's involvement with the child welfare system at different stages. Another significant finding from the study was that racial biases were reported most as the contributing factor to the overrepresentation of Black youth in the system. Professionals were more likely to report Black youth than white youth to welfare services. Furthermore, Black youth's likelihood of involvement with the child welfare system was high if it was alleged that they experienced sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, or caregiver intimate partner violence. The study was also significant in showing that involvement with the child welfare system increased the risk of poor educational attainment, juvenile system involvement, and experiencing externalizing behavior issues. The study advances anti-oppressive social work practice in the sense that it examines a key form of oppression that affects Black youth and American society at large. Given the negative consequences of involvement with child protection services, as revealed in the study, the findings of the study provide support for fostering change in the child welfare system to address the inherent racial disparities. Analysis of Findings The study's findings apply to social work and policy to a great extent. With the researchers showing that the child welfare system is characterized by the overrepresentation of Black youth, which in turn translates to negative life outcomes, social work practice can be informed of how to address the inequities that oppress Black youth and other people of color. Child welfare services are an integral part of social work practice, and therefore, its failures, as revealed in the study, can be a source of change for the better. Social workers seek to work with families and communities to provide a safe environment for children. However, when the provision of child welfare services is characterized by racial disparities, as revealed in the study, and involvement with the services results in unwelcome life outcomes, it can be a key concern for the practice. In essence, the study's findings can support the examination of various policies and programs associated with child welfare services. Through such examination, racial disparities can be identified and measures put in plac...