Supervision for Racial Equity

Carol Wilson Spigner, DSWEmerita Associate Professor

University of PennsylvaniaSchool of Social Policy and Practice

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Purpose

Describe the use of institutional analysis to identify organizational factors that contribute to disparities

Discuss the implications for child welfare supervision

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Institutional AnalysisOrganizations are designed to get the results

they achieve. The workers behavior is shaped by:MissionTextPolicies and proceduresAccountability structuresTheories and conceptsTrainingResourcesLinkages: internal and external

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FindingsLabeling & fear of the families and

community impede the delivery of servicePolicy mythology operates contrary to policy

and reduces opportunities for AA children and familiesTermination of parental rightsAge requirements for kinship care givers

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FindingsFamilies were not adequately assessed and

their strengths were not identified, appreciated or utilizedRisk assessment protocols were not properly

utilized….used to justify a decision rather than to make a decision.

Team decision making process were misused with decision being made in advance of the meeting and failure to engage the family in problem solving.

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FindingsFamilies experienced services as irrelevant,

difficult to access and or inadequate.Traditional vs. community and/ or faith basedLocation and accessFormulaic and not tailored to needsSurveillance rather than service

Reluctance to accept evidence of change therefore extending the duration of service

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FindingsLittle advocacy for resources was available to

AA families:Housing, drug treatment etcLegal representation was pro forma,

precluding meaningful participation by families in court proceedings

AA youth were deemed delinquent when their behavior was a response to lack of appropriate placement/ service in the child welfare system

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Implications for SupervisionSupervisor as the bridge between frontline workers

and management and policy functions.Need establish a legitimate expectation that supervisors

look across unit caseloads and identify problems in service delivery and policy and inform the “deciders”.

Supervisors are the standard bearers for good practice and must participate in the formulation of policy and training that supports good practice

Organization needs to support supervisors’ demand for good practice and the supports needed ( clear policy, training, performance appraisal, professional development, etc).

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ImplicationsImprove the quality of assessment not only

with own staff but the assessment processes used by the organization ( risk and safety assessment, family assessment etc.)

Assure that team decision-making and risk assessment protocols are used as intended and not used to validate perceptions of families and situation

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ImplicationsFocus on the evidence of change and require

justification for keeping cases open when the evidence is present.

Agency should structure regular feedback from supervisors on the adequacy, quality and accessibility of service for children and families.

Supervisors must understand the policies and the limits and flexibility of a policy and translate that to staff.

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Final Thought

Our agencies need a broader conversation about stigma, race and ethnicity, class, structural and institutional racism and its impact on child welfare for the purpose of minimizing the impact of stigma on the families and children we serve.

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