Orphans Among Us: Evaluating the Ministry Needs of African American Children Living in Foster Care
There's a crisis in America. Over 500,000 children nationwide are being raised in the foster care system.[1] The largest state in the nation, California, has the highest number of children in foster care—approximately 105,000. Many of these children are black and Hispanic, and many are physically or emotionally disabled.
African American children are significantly over-represented and constitute 40-50% of those in foster care. Although only 12% of the overall United States population is black, one-third of all foster care children are African American. These are the most difficult children to place in foster or adoptive homes. As a result, black children remain in the system longer[2] averaging 10 years or more and represent the largest proportion of children in out-of-home care nationally.[3] The result: too many African American children grow up institutionalized.[4] more
The entire paper is published in Understanding Children's Spirituality: Theology, Research, and Practice, Kevin E. Lawson, Editor (2012 Cascade Books).
African American children are significantly over-represented and constitute 40-50% of those in foster care. Although only 12% of the overall United States population is black, one-third of all foster care children are African American. These are the most difficult children to place in foster or adoptive homes. As a result, black children remain in the system longer[2] averaging 10 years or more and represent the largest proportion of children in out-of-home care nationally.[3] The result: too many African American children grow up institutionalized.[4] more
The entire paper is published in Understanding Children's Spirituality: Theology, Research, and Practice, Kevin E. Lawson, Editor (2012 Cascade Books).