Challenging implicit bias: preparing students to practice with African American families

ABSTRACT

The disparity of African American families in the foster care system is a concern in the field of child welfare services and the social work profession. African American families experience unique challenges related to discriminatory practices and implicit biases in the child welfare system and by mandated reporters. To address these inequalities, state and local agencies have implemented prevention and intervention services to support minority families. Additionally, child welfare agencies have invested in professional development training for their workers to alleviate possible intolerant practices. This article describes implicit biases and considers how they could contribute to the disparity of African American families involved in the child welfare system. Furthermore, the article presents approaches to help social work students to identify and challenge their implicit biases to support culturally sensitive practices while working with African American families. It concludes with implications for social work education.

KEYWORDS:

• Child welfare
• implicit biases
• foster care
• African Americans
• families

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Belinda E. Bruster

Dr. Belinda E. Bruster is a FACT Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor at Centerstone in Bradenton, FL.

Tiffany Y. Lane

Dr. Tiffany Y. Lane is an Associate Professor and BSW Program Director in the School of Social Work at Norfolk State University, VA.

Belinda D. Smith

Dr. Belinda D. Smith is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Jackson State University, MS.