Why Special Populations Are Not the Target of Family Preservation Services: A Case for Program Reform

Authors

Ramona W. Denby, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Carla M. Curtis, Ohio State University

Abstract

The number of children who have been placed outside their homes of origin as a result of abuse, neglect, delinquency, emotional problems, or developmental disabilities, is astronomical and steadily increasing. Of this number, "special populations" like children of color continue to be disproportionately represented. Intensive family preservation, a program that attempts to reduce out-of-home placement rates, has not demonstrated empirically, a sustained record of success in the reduction of placement rates among special populations. The purpose of the current study was to understand the manner in which special populations are targeted for services by examining the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of a national sample of family preservation workers. Results indicate a significant bias against targeting family preservation services to special populations in general, and children of color in particular.S pecific recommendations about the targeting of special populations are given.

Recommended Citation

Denby, Ramona W. and Curtis, Carla M. (2003) "Why Special Populations Are Not the Target of Family Preservation Services: A Case for Program Reform," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 30: Iss. 2, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.2899
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol30/iss2/9