What is Dis·pro·por·tion·al·i·ty ? |
Disproportionality is the overrepresentation of an ethnic or cultural group within a particular program or system. In our state, African-American children are represented in the Texas Child Protective Services system at a much higher rate than their percentage of the population.
Did you know that African American children in Texas:
• are referred to Child Protective
Services (CPS) more than others,
• are more likely than White or Hispanic children to be reported as victims of child abuse or neglect,
• are more likely to be
removed from their homes,
• spend much more time in foster care and are less likely to be returned to their families,
• wait longer to be adopted than
children of other ethnicities, and
• have a greater chance of turning 18 and leaving foster care before they are adopted.
THE VISION OF OUR COMMITTEE
To identify and develop ways to address the negative impact of systemic and historic racism in the CPS system and other youth-serving institutions, to alleviate their continuing effects on families, children and communities.
Our purpose is to help citizens learn why it happens, to understand who is affected by it, to find out what is being done by Child Protective Services to put a stop to it, and to identify what you can do to help.
"This is not just a systems issue here dealing with Child Protective Services. It also impacts the school system, juvenile justice system, criminal justice systems -- all of the systems that deal with black youth." - Ora Houston. ADAC commitee member |
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Join us at our next
Austin Disproportionality
TOWN HALL MEETING
at
St. John's Multi-Purpose Center
7500 Blessing Ave.
Austin, TX 78752
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
• Information regarding the importance of 'Family Team Meetings' - Randy Shell, Program Administrator of the Family Team Decision Making Unit
• Learn about our Advisory group, and how you can help
• Supervision for children available during the meeting
• Light supper provided
••• Ask a CPS
representative policy questions •••
• Voice your opinion on
issues pertaining to CPS and disproportionality
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
BRING YOUR NEIGHBORS!!
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A Message from our Chairman
Ray Hendricks |
Our CPS Liaison
Damaris Nicholson
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"We are very fortunate to have an opportunity to serve as an advisory committee to address the disproportionality of African American Families that exists in the Department of Family and Protective Services. Since 2006, this committee has been meeting, learning, and informing the community about the effects that the disproportionality of African Americans in Child Protective Services has in our society. As a result of the insight and leadership of our State Legislators, Commissioner Ann Heligenstein, Deputy Commissioner Joyce James, Deputy Commissioner Audrey Deckinga, and countless others, we are coming together and effectively addressing this problem."
"We are hopeful that this site will be used as a tool for all to use, to be informed, share information, and better inspire others to help eradicate the disproportionality that is presently destroying lives and families."
- Rev. Ray Hendricks
Chairman, Austin/Travis County
Disproportionality Advisory Committee |
"It is my pleasure to serve as the liaison between Child Protective Services and this group, the Austin Disproportionality Advisory Committee. It is important for Child Protective Services to support families, be accountable to the community, and strive to create and maintain a positive working relationship. The Austin Disproportionality Advisory Committee was created by the Legislature to inform and review CPS policies and procedures and work to eliminate disproportionality in our system. This advisory committee will provide a strong voice, helping us fulfill our pledge."
- D. Nicholson, CPS |
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| Latest News |
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July 15th - July 30th, 2010
LOCATION CHANGE! The following meeting is being held at the CPS office - Winters Building public hearing room at 9am - instead of the Chris Cole auditorium.
The Department of Family Protective Services advises that the Public Private Partnership meetings, related to the Re-Design of Foster Care, are open to anyone who would like to observe. The small group discussions are not open. The next Public Private Partnership meeting is scheduled for 9:00am, July 22nd, at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Auditorium, 4800 N Lamar, Austin , TX.
Public comments are not accepted at the meetings however, comments can be forwarded to fcredesign@dfps.state.tx.us . For reference, the website for the Foster Care Redesign effort is here. The Department of Family Protective Service indicates that the names of the members of the Public Private Partnership (Foster Care Re-Design) will be added to the above site in the next few weeks.
Mobilizing Men Task Force
A gathering for activists against men’s violence.
Join men and women from Austin and the surrounding area who are interested in mobilizing men to stand up against violence. Please register by July 21, 2010. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
WHEN: Friday, July 23, 2010
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: TAASA Office (6200 La Calma, Suite 110 Austin, Texas)
WHAT: Screening and Discussion of Boys and Men Healing
Discussion with Eric Wheeler, Sexual Assault Survivor/Anti-Violence Educator.
Join us for a screening and discussion of the documentary film Boys and Men Healing. Boys and Men Healing is a documentary about the impact that sexual violence abuse of boys has on both the individual and society and the importance of healing and speaking out for male survivors in order to end the devastating effects. The film portrays courageous survivors whose arduous healing helped them reclaim their lives-while giving them a powerful voice to speak out, and take bold action toward prevention for other boys.
After the film, Eric will facilitate a discussion about the best ways to engage male sexual assault survivors as allies to our prevention efforts. FEE: FREE! Please register by July 21, 2010. Space is limited. Please bring material about your effort/organization to share.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Emiliano Diaz de Leon, Primary Prevention Spc. 512-474-7190 ext. 35
Sponsored by the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) Mobilizing Men.
Wende Hilsenrod, MA,Training Specialist with the Texas Association Against Sexual Assualt and a partner on the Austion Disproportionality Advisory Committee, is inviting members of the community who are interested in stopping sexual assault in our community to attend this meeting to hear the guest speaker. If interested please contact Ms. Hilsenrod at 512-474-7190 ext 14
Diversity Task Force Meeting
Location: 6200 La Calma Ste 110, 78752
Meeting Room (2nd Floor)
Date: Friday, July 23, 2010
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Agenda
Introductions
Guest Speaker: Featuring Kimberly Bacon Associate Director of Texans After Violence.
Kimberly will discuss the “Listening for a Change” project as it pertains to victims of violence from marginalized populations and their experience. The project explores how violence has drastically altered or radically transformed their lives. The project also explores the relationship between marginalized populations and the justice system.
The parallels between the project and victims of sexual assault will be examined.
Networking Lunch
Diversity Task Force Business
Conclusion
The Family Group Decision Making Team of Region 7, will be presenting training on July 30, 2010. The training is for staff who did not previously receive the mandated training in 2009. All new staff need to attend. Additional trainings will be scheduled in the next several months. Trainings on 7/30/10 will be in two locations ( Waco and in Austin ) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. After staff have signed up, if space is still available, members of the Austin Disproportionality Advisory Committee are invited to attend. If interested in attending, RSVP to Ms. Jennifer Rock, 512-834-3406. If space is not available for this training, community members of the Disproportionality Advisory Committee and community partners will be advised of the next training opportunity. Date: 7/30/10 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location: Austin Children’s Shelter 4800 Manor Road Austin, TX 78723 austinchildrenshelter.org
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Disproportionality
Advisory Committee –
Neither Fish nor Fowl?
Ms. Ora Houston, Community Member, Austin Advisory Committee
The overarching context for the ‘work’ we are passionate about is captured in the word “partnership.” How many of you reading this are married, have been or currently in a committed relationship? Then you know that partnerships take a lot of work and a lot of energy. Partnerships have internal and an external dynamics. Partnerships have an expectation that there is a commitment which is long term and constant. Partnerships suggest dedication and financial responsibility. The partnership between Child Protective Services and the Advisory Committee must be defined so that each entity is aware of their purpose, the expectations and the outcomes.
As the purpose of the Advisory Committee continues to be hammered out, a conversation must also be held about the role of citizens on the Advisory Committee? There are four key questions, at a minimum that must be clarified. What is the role of community members? How are they held accountable? What is the sustainability of the roles and tasks assigned? How are resources allocated?
The Advisory Committee is composed of stakeholders from other systems that impact children, youth and their parent(s). The voice of community members is critical and needs to be heard at the table when decisions are made. They are able to engage citizens who are not usually involved with the agency and the citizens who are part of the system and/or those who are at risk of entering the system. Community members are in a position to push back against, “that’s the way we have always done it” mentality found in all bureaucracies. Members of the community can ask, “Why and Why not?” Community members are free to approach legislators to advance the vision and goals of the agency. One of the major challenges is the infrequent and irregular engagement of community members. Most have not been involved from the onset; therefore the need for new member orientation is ever present.
Accountability is very nebulous and difficult to track from the stand point of the agency, so how stakeholders and members of the community are held accountable deserves discussion. The clarity of expectations and roles is an important part of insuring that the Committee works efficiently and effectively. A plan must be developed and objectives/outcomes viewed on an annual basis. There must be transparency. Who responds to suggestions and recommendations from community members? With whom does the buck stop?
Sustainability is a huge issue that must be dealt with. How will the agency and the Committee continue moving forward? It will take years for the community and people who use the system to develop a relationship with staff based on trust, open communication and credibility, outcomes that all stakeholders seek. Community members are volunteers. They come and they go. They bring different skill sets, different levels of interest. It is critical to have staff of the agency anchor the Committee in order for there to be consistency and stability going forward.
The Advisory Committee is an unfunded mandate. The lack of financial resources from the agency is a barrier. The Committee is dependent on donations and kindness from people and other organizations to do the ‘work’ required by Senate Bill 6. To respond to the needs of the community and the agency, members of the Committee must secure contributions or solicit pro bono support. The need to have access to minimum funding was not clearly developed prior to implementation.
As I indicated earlier, our ‘work’ calls for a partnership between the agency, stakeholders and members of the community. It will take time, energy, commitment, support, some funding and a willingness to stay in conversation as the above issues are addressed.
Questions & Answers... |
Q: What does disproportionality in Texas CPS look like?
A: A 2004 study showed that African-American children made up 12% of the population, but were involved in 19% of the reports of child abuse or neglect in Texas. Black children made up 26% of the children removed from their homes, and a total of 29% of the children in foster care. When the researchers accounted for other factors, like poverty, they found that African-American children were not removed from their homes more than others, but they did stay in foster care longer. That same study showed that African-American families were less likely to be offered in-home services by CPS.
Q: What is the committee's relationship to Child Protective Services?
A: The law the Texas Legislature passed in 2005 to reform the Department of Family and Protective Services required DFPS to work with “community groups, agencies, faith-based organizations, and other community organizations” to provide better services to children of all ethnicities. One way DFPS has done this is by turning to community advisory committees like the Austin Disproportionality Advisory Committee. While CPS is represented on the committee and provides it with some staff support, the committee is an independent group led by community members which makes recommendations to DFPS and takes action to reduce the disproportionate number of African-American children in foster care.
Q: What can I do to help stop disproportionality?
A: Join the committee. Talk to people about the problem. Help your friends and neighbors understand what disproportionality is and that there is a group of people working to fix it. Click on the You Can Help link to find out how you can join with us to rectify this problem'
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