CREATING CHANGE FOR BLACK YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE

Black children are disproportionately represented in the foster care system yet underrepresented in adoption. Through the EMBRACE Project we aim to explore and address this imbalance and provide Black youth with an equal chance at finding an adoptive family to call their own.

Kidsave has collaborated with Gallup’s Center for Black Voices on a nationwide qualitative and quantitative study to understand Americans’ perceptions of the child welfare system, mentorship, foster care, adoption and Black youth in foster care. The evidence-based data from these studies will help us raise awareness and create real change to support Black families and youth.

Through these findings we aim to improve the outcomes for all kids in foster care, to grow a community of support and create societal change that embraces forever families through mentorship and adoption as a way of growing families and strengthening bonds in our communities.

Phase I

Quantitative Data Collection

Phase II

Qualitative Data Collection

Phase III

Analysis & Reporting

Phase IV

Amplification

Phase V

Policy Reform

Phase III concluded November 15, 2023. Phase IV in progress.

Black Americans are twice as likely as other Americans to foster, mentor or adopt if they could volunteer with a child of the same racial or ethnic background (40% vs. 20%).

PHASE I: QUANTITATIVE STUDY

Completed in May 2023, the quantitative study collected over 5,000 survey responses from Americans, including an oversample of 1,400 Black Americans. The quantitative study provides statistically significant data on perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs around foster care and adoption. This data will inform policy and practice changes in government and organizations to help us make progress on solutions to support Black families and youth in achieving positive outcomes.

PHASE I QUANTITATIVE MAJOR FINDINGS

Mentorship is a gateway to adoption. Families who participate in mentorship programs are 7 times more likely to adopt children from foster care.

Potential families need more support around parenting children who have experienced trauma, grief or loss.

Potential families are hesitant to adopt if a child was removed from their home for questionable reasons. This speaks to larger mistrust in the system.

PHASE II: QUALITATIVE STUDY

Building on the quantitative data, Gallup conducted 50 in-depth interviews with Black adults in Los Angeles and Houston on their perspectives around mentorship, foster care, and adoption. Hearing real stories gives richer context to the numbers and statistics. Key insights from these personal experiences will inform how we can better support Black youth and families.

Sadly … I would say I get my information about the foster care system from the local news, when it is a negative news story about either something that happened to a child in the foster care system or a home that was housing some foster children that somehow made the news negatively.”

– Ethan P., age 45, Los Angeles

PHASE II QUALITATIVE MAJOR FINDINGS

Media portrayals of foster care might have greater influence on Americans with less first-hand experience. Many Black Americans who were interviewed in LA and Houston who didn’t have first-hand experience with foster care said that news, documentaries, social media and other media are their primary sources of information about foster care.

During interviews with Black adults in Houston and Los Angeles, many expressed uncertainties about the foster care process and what fostering entails. Several suggested that education and awareness campaigns could improve recruitment.

Interviews with Black Americans in Los Angeles and Houston reflected the nuanced relationship between financial resources and making changes to their home or living situation, and also highlighted the difficulty of living in areas with a high cost of living.

PHASE III CONCLUDED NOVEMBER 15, 2023. PHASE IV IN PROGRESS…

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