DCFS Staff Perception of Race and Client Interaction

Purpose: The purpose of this literature review is to examine DCFS social worker's perception of race and its influence on their decision to provide various services including substantiating an investigation and providing preventative services based on implicit biases and cultural humility. Inquiry: The objective of this literature review is to inquire DCFS staff perception of race and its impact on the disproportionality of African Americans in the child welfare system. Methods: Searches were conducted on the following databases: EBSCOhost, Psychinfo and Google Scholars. Studies included in this literature consist of policy analysis, qualitative research and quantitative research. Studies mentioned in this article have analyzed the history of African Americans during the formation of the child welfare system, disproportionality, and racial bias by social workers. All identified studies include information regarding disproportionality in the child welfare system. Results: Research has found no relationship between social worker bias and disproportionality in the child welfare system.