'Culture of caution' fails Linn County children, families: Report

Cedar Rapids “does not have a shared vision and mission about how struggling children and their families should be supported,” according to a study into Linn County's child welfare system. That leads to a "culture of caution" that unfairly targets African American parents.

That's the key conclusion of a two-m0nth review of child welfare practices in Linn County conducted by the Washington D.C.-based Center for the Study of Social Policy. About 200 people - Department of Human Services caseworkers, officials from nonprofit agencies, schools, and the courts, and interested African American residents - heard a two-hour "readout" of the report this afternoon at the African American Museum of Iowa.

The study, which included a records review, courtroom observations, interviews of DHS staff, families, and youth, and reviews of 11 cases, found specific instances in which institutional bias led to African American families' facing standards and practices not applied to others:

• Some African American parents were directed to undergo substance abuse and treatment, even with no indications of past or present substance abuse.
• One African American mother was allowed only DHS-supervised visits with her children for a year, even though her case file showed no documented safety concern.
• Caseworkers continued to conduct unannounced safety checks three or four times a week on an African American mother after her children had been safely in her care for a year.
• Parents were pressured by staff to admit to an allegation of abuse or neglect in order to receive assistance.
• Termination of parental rights proceedings were used to "motivate" parents.
• Family-team meetings were "more like pre-trial conferences."

"What's needed here in Cedar Rapids is for all those people in the system to come together and reach a consensus about where you want to be," said Bill Bettencourt, CSSP senior consultant. "We did not see that that exists here."

African Americans, especially more recent arrivals, are stigmatized by local agencies and residents. Bettencourt recalled talking to one youth who attended a focus group conducted as part of the review.

"The young person said that at the age of 18 he wanted to change his name because he didn't want his (family's) reputation to follow him," Bettencourt said.

The area also lacks housing, public transportation, and sufficient programs to support parents who have been incarcerated.

The report did identify some "building blocks" toward improvement, including DHS's family-team meetings, family advocates, and Parent Partner programs, services provided at the Harambee House, and the conferences held within 24 hours of a child's removal from home. The work of the African American Family Preservation and Resource Committee was also cited.

Marc Baty, DHS area service manager, said his and other area agencies will address the concerns raised in the report. He said planning is underway to launch an effort by the end of November.

“A good first step is to have everybody at the table," said Baty. "Resources aren't always about new money, resources are about a change in attitude and a change in practice."

Casey Family Programs will provide advice and guidance, said Eric Fenner, managing director for the Seattle-based nonprofit. He said the community must reach a shared vision about how children and families are to be treated, and a realization of where they're starting from.

“You must be clear about how you want children and families to be served," Fenner said. “Being willing to step forward and have this analysis done is admirable and it should be applauded. A lot of good has already been done."

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