Locating the Intersections of Disability, Race and Ethnicity in Adoption Rates among Foster Children Introduction

Abstract

The promotion of speedy, permanent adoption outcomes for children in foster care whose parental rights have been terminated is a central child welfare policy goal. However, while both children of color and children with disabilities are at greater risk for child welfare involvement, little is known about influence of these intersecting identities on adoption rates. This cross-sectional national study draws on the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) to explore the between and within group foster care outcomes of adoption. While we expected to see advantages in outcomes based on identification with privileged social identities, our findings were much more varied. Implications relate to the need for intersectional approaches to equity assessments of child welfare systems and practice.

Keywords:

• Disability
• race and ethnicity
• intersectionality
• adoption
• child welfare
• foster care

Notes

1 We use the term Latinx in the interest of gender inclusivity, however we recognize that there is debate around the use of this term and the colonization of language (Hernandez, 2017).