Children of a Hidden Economy: Racial Disparities in Michigans Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems

Troubling new data suggest that racial inequities exist throughout the various stages of Michigan’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The finding that children of color are far more likely than white children to enter and languish in the foster care system is recognized as a critical piece of the hidden economy. These inequities can significantly drain our resources, lead to greater homelessness, unemployment and incarceration and deny young people the promise of a healthy childhood.

This Forum closes out the 2014 IPPSR Forum Series with a discussion of policy implications of a recently completed statewide study of Michigan’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

The May Forum is cosponsored by and hosts leaders of the Michigan Coalition for Race Equity with support from Casey Family Programs. Coalition Co-chairs Michigan Supreme Court Justice Mary Beth Kelly and policy advocate former Rep. Lynn Jondahl will introduce the newly completed statewide study and its findings.

The report of the recommendations for policy makers to follow – and for citizens to support – to create a more color-blind and effective system of child welfare and juvenile justice will come before a panel discussion of next steps moving forward. The panel will discuss highlights of the data findings and how they compare with the national perspective. The coalition's recommendations as well as the experience of a pilot project now underway will open the dialogue with audience members.

Speakers

  • Mary Beth Kelly, Michigan Supreme Court Justice, chair of numerous statewide committees, primarily focused on child welfare and family matters and winner of numerous awards for her work on child welfare issues. Justice Kelly’s presentation: Michigan Race Equity Coalition
  • Former Rep. Lynn Jondahl, whose continuing policy advocacy resonates across social and family issues, responsive taxation and governance, and sustaining environmental and consumer protection measures.
  • Ann Marie Schneider, Director, Program Planning and Development, Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. She leads IPPSR’s program planning and development division and advises the Institute’s communications and marketing strategies.
  • Michael Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Orchards Children’s Services.

Panelists

Additional Child Welfare Resources