Research on bias throughout the child welfare system shows:

Research on bias throughout the child welfare system shows:

A. An under representation of families of color

B. An over representation of families in poverty and families of color

C. A mandated reporter’s decision to make a report is hardly ever influenced by bias

D. Bias does not have long lasting impacts on families and communities

Answer: B. An over representation of families in poverty and families of color

Many researches have been conducted on bias of this type in the child welfare system and has established that the majority of the affected families live in poverty and the families of color. That is why, racial and/or socioeconomic biases may occur in any stage of Claridge’s decision-making process starting from its reporting, investigation and conclusion, ending with the placement decision. Another problem is the overrepresentation of certain vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of the population in the child protection system, which indicates the need for further reforms to eliminate preconceptions within the child protective services.