Should I Call Child Protection? — Guidelines for Clinicians

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2024

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.3624

Abstract

Child protection investigations are a commonplace occurrence for US children and their families. At current levels of risk, a third of all children and more than half of Black children can expect to experience such an investigation before turning 18 years old. While the risk of child protective services (CPS) investigations varies widely across states, significantly greater risk for Black children is a constant. In addition, large and long-standing disparities in reports to CPS by socioeconomic class, race, and disability status raise significant concerns about equity and justice. Black children are more likely to be investigated and removed from their homes, and, once removed, spend longer time in substitute care; they are less likely to be reunited with their families and experience termination of parental rights at rates higher than White families. Parents with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities are also disproportionately represented among families investigated by CPS. As other studies have identified, physicians and medical professionals contribute to these disparities in reporting.

Disciplines

Family Law | Juvenile Law | Law

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