Racial Disparities in Assignment to Alternative Response

Abstract Background Alternative Response (AR) refers to assessment-focused responses to Child Protective Service allegations for families with low to moderate risk while diverting them from a traditional investigation. Although the AR is beneficial to meet needs and promote self-sufficiency of families, less is known about the AR assignment for families with alleged neglect. Also, the intersection of racial disparities and poverty in the assignment has not been studied. Objective This study examined the main and interaction effects of neglect allegations, poverty, and race on the AR assignment. Participants and Settings Data came from the 2016 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. Cases were selected within the five regions of Texas (n=119,389). Methods Logistic regression models were constructed. Conditional process analysis was also employed. Results Families with neglect allegations were less likely to be assigned to AR than those who were reported without neglect. Children of color were less likely to be assigned to AR than white children. Children whose families received public assistance were less likely to be assigned to AR. Receiving public assistance amplified a negative association between neglect and AR assignment only for children of color, while it did not affect the association for white children. Conclusions There was an intersection of race and poverty in the AR assignment among neglected children. Children of color from low-income families experienced double disadvantages in receiving AR, leading to being marginalized from equal opportunities for promoting family self-sufficiency. Well-informed guidelines and training should be provided to reduce racial disparities in the child welfare system.