Barriers Hispanic/Latino families face

through my research, I discovered there are several barriers that

Hispanic and Latino families and Children face once involved in

the child welfare system.

The first two barriers, our language and culture.

I saw this in my own case, and it's not

a unique situation.

Clear communication is key to success of a case, and

the title six of the 1964 Civil Rights Act says

that any program receiving federal funds must make their services

accessible to those with limited English.

This should mean that the Department of Child Services higher

as interpreters.

But this isn't always the case.

In fact, a study that interviewed caseworkers in Washington state

found that while interpreters are available during permanency hearings, all

of the court forms are available only in English.

This could cause a huge gap in understanding for the

family. Even with detailed note taking, there could be information

lost if not all the documents are translated.

Looking at culture assimilation is stressful on its own, but

dealing with any federal system and, in this case, the

child welfare system as a whole.

Another layer of stress, knowing what is expected of you

from the courts can be taxing Hispanic and Latino immigrants

may also harbor fear and distrust towards government officials.

American foreign policy and immigration laws are ever changing, and

the possibility of deportation could keep Hispanic and Latino parents

from utilizing services that would help them reunite their family

and create a safe home for their Children.

Another barrier, Hispanic and Latino families face, is accessing services

in a timely manner.

In the child welfare system, there are times their timelines

of when services need to be completed.

However, due to waiting lists or limited operating hours, the

parents may be seem as noncompliant in their case plan.

Poverty is a huge risk for factor for contact with

the child welfare system.

As this quote by Michelle Johnson Maruyama at Al explains,

a lack of resources can hinder child safety and well

being. Most Children reported to CPS come from families with

limited economic, social and human resources due to the percent

of Hispanic of the Hispanic population living poverty.

This puts them at a higher risk for from coming

into contact with the child welfare system and also causes

barriers to services.

This chart explains that the poverty rate is disproportionate to

the population for Hispanic Latinos in the United States.

This rate was even higher for Hispanic Children in Georgia,

as the Georgia demographics of low income Children found that

in 2018 67% of Hispanic Children lived in low income

families. This just shows that Hispanic and Latino families and

Children face property at a high rate.

And looking at this, Hispanic Children are often born into

these economically limited families, putting them at a disadvantage, as

the previous charts showed.

And his echoed in a study by Michelle Johnson motto,

Maya at Al.

Poverty is disproportionate for families of color.

Poverty affects a family's ability to comply with services ordered

by the court during a child's welfare case.

They may lack access to transportation because they don't have

a car.

They are also less likely to have access to WiFi

or Internet.

Currently, so much is done online.

But if a family doesn't have reliable Internet or a

working computer, they will suffer when trying to access or

apply to services.

Due to the stress and trauma Children face while in

the child welfare system and from situations that brought them

into the child welfare system.

Mental health treatment is imperative, However, Eisenberg er at Al

wrote that studies have shown that Latino Children in the

welfare system are actually less likely to receive mental health

services and Caucasian youth, even though the need for them

is the same.

And that same study by Eisenberg, It'll was also reported

that there's a lack of bilingual or bicultural trained Latino

mental health providers.

This tends to make treatment less effective, and those receiving

it are less likely to continue treatment.

If left untreated, mental health issues can persist into adulthood.

As I have explained, there are many barriers that Hispanic

and Latino families and Children face in the child welfare

system. These barriers make it harder for the Children to

benefit and receive the help they need.

In my last presentation, I'm going to present some suggestions

that would help break down these barriers and help the

child welfare system adequately serve Hispanic and Latino Children and

their families.

Barriers Hispanic/Latino families face

Chapters

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