The child welfare system in the United States is a structure intended to protect children and ensure their well-being. However, for African American families, this system often serves as a mechanism of separation, perpetuating cycles of trauma and systemic inequities. In Baltimore and across the nation, African American children are disproportionately represented in foster care, reflecting a deep-rooted problem that demands immediate attention and reform.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, African American children account for approximately 23% of the foster care population, despite representing only 14% of the general child population. This disparity is not due to higher rates of abuse or neglect among Black families but rather systemic racism and economic inequities that entangle African American families in the child welfare system at disproportionate rates.

Baltimore, a city already grappling with the legacies of redlining, underfunded schools and concentrated poverty, provides a stark example of how systemic inequalities feed into child welfare involvement. Families living in poverty are more likely to face allegations of neglect — not because they care less for their children but because they lack the resources to meet stringent standards set by the system. A parent’s inability to afford stable housing or child care is often mistaken for neglect, resulting in the unnecessary removal of children from their homes. Once in the foster care system, African American children face longer stays and lower rates of family reunification compared with their white peers.

This cycle not only destabilizes families but perpetuates racial stereotypes about African American parenting. Child welfare decisions are not immune to implicit biases, and the perception of Black families as inherently dysfunctional often informs decisions to remove children rather than provide the support families need to thrive. Addressing these disparities requires us to rethink how the child welfare system operates and how it interacts with African American families.

One glaring issue is the allocation of resources. Foster families receive financial assistance to care for children, yet similar support is rarely offered to biological families at risk of losing their children due to financial hardship. Why not redirect these resources to prevent family separation in the first place? Programs that provide housing subsidies, access to quality child care and job training could alleviate the conditions that often lead to child welfare involvement. By focusing on prevention rather than punishment, we can keep more families intact while still ensuring the safety of children.

Another critical area of reform is the need for cultural competency within the child welfare workforce. Social workers and case managers must be trained to understand the systemic barriers African American families face and address their biases when making decisions. A family living in a low-income neighborhood in West Baltimore should not be automatically subjected to heightened scrutiny simply because of where they live. By fostering a culture of equity and understanding, we can move toward a system that uplifts families rather than tears them apart.

Community-based solutions are also essential. Engaging local organizations and leaders who understand the unique challenges faced by African American families can create a more supportive and less adversarial approach to child welfare. Programs like kinship care, where children are placed with extended family members rather than strangers, preserve familial bonds and cultural identity, minimizing the trauma of separation.

The systemic overrepresentation of African American children in the child welfare system is not just a child welfare issue, it’s a racial justice issue. Reforming the system to address this inequity will require bold, collaborative efforts from policymakers, social workers and community advocates. It means confronting uncomfortable truths about how systemic racism permeates our institutions and committing to transformative change.

We cannot continue to allow poverty to be criminalized and race to be a determinant in child welfare decisions. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a stable and loving home, and every parent deserves the chance to provide that environment without the shadow of systemic bias looming over them.

In Baltimore and across the nation, we must reimagine a child welfare system that centers on support, prevention and equity. The safety and well-being of children should not come at the cost of unnecessarily dismantling African American families. By investing in preventative services, fostering cultural understanding and prioritizing family preservation, we can build a system that truly serves all families with dignity and justice.

It is time to act, Baltimore. Let us lead the charge in creating a fairer, more compassionate child welfare system, because every family deserves the opportunity to stay together and thrive.

Jumara Perry lives in Baltimore and is a student at Coppin State University studying social work.