Reunification for young children of color with substance removals: An intersectional analysis of longitudinal national data

Abstract

BackgroundThe opioid epidemic has resulted in increasing attention to the effect of parental substance use disorders on child welfare system involvement, including foster care utilization. Opioid use disorders are more common among whites than people of color, however. ObjectiveThis study sought to determine number and proportion of children of color with substance removals and whether disparities exist in likelihood of reunification compared to white children. Participants & settingThis study used U.S. Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data to determine rates of foster care entries and outcomes between 2007–2017 across intersections of child race/ethnicity, age, and substance removal status. MethodsSurvival analyses were employed to test the primary research questions. ResultsDuring the 10 year period observed, the number and proportion of white children with substance removals (ages 0−4 and 5+) in foster care increased two- to three-fold compared to children of color with substance removals depending on child age. However, children of color, particularly ages 0−4, faced disadvantages respecting foster care outcomes. Results of the multivariate proportional hazards models revealed that reunification was significantly and substantially more likely for every group compared to young (0−4) children of color with substance removals. Further probing revealed that racial disparities were driven primarily by Black/African American children. ConclusionsChildren of color with substance removals, particularly Black/African American children, are at higher risk of poor child welfare outcomes compared to their white peers.