Eliminating Racial Bias in Child Welfare: Tools and Strategies for Promoting Equity and Social Justice

Marya Wright, DSW, MSW

Training Description

This training aims to provide child welfare professionals with an understanding of racial bias within child welfare, and to equip them with the tools and strategies necessary to eliminate biases in their efforts to support system-involved youth. Participants will learn about the impact of racial bias on children and families, as well as best practices for promoting cultural competence and addressing personal biases. The training will also cover strategies for addressing racial bias in child welfare reporting. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout).

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

· Identify at least 2 impacts of racial bias on children and families in the child welfare system.

· Acquire at least 2 tools and/or strategies for promoting cultural competence and addressing personal biases within efforts to support system involved youth.

· Identify at least 2 best practices for addressing racial bias in child welfare reporting.

Agenda

10:00 – 10:10am  Welcome and purpose of the training

10:10 – 10:35am  Objectives and Learning Goals

10:35 – 10:45am  Understanding Racial Bias

10:45 – 11:00am  Definition of racial bias

11:00 – 11:15am  Types of Racial Bias

11:15 – 11:25am  Impact of Racial Bias in Child Welfare

11:25 – 11:30am  Examples of racial bias in child welfare

11:30 – 11:45am  Disproportionality and disparity in child welfare

11:45am – 12:00pm  Consequence of racial bias on children and families

12:00 – 1:00pm  Lunch (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

1:00 – 1:20pm  Importance of cultural competence in child welfare

1:20 – 1:45pm  Addressing Racial Bias in Child Welfare

1:45 – 2:00pm  Strategies for addressing racial bias.

2:00 – 2:20pm  Cultural responsiveness and humility

2:20 – 2:45pm  Best practices for eliminating racial bias

2:45 – 2:50pm  Self-Reflection and Personal Responsibility

2:50 – 3:00pm  Personal biases and their impact

3:00 – 3:15pm  Tools for self-reflection

3:15 – 3:40pm  Steps for taking personal responsibility.

3:40 – 3:50pm  Call to Action and Resources

3:50 – 4:00pm  Questions/Answers/Wrap-up & Closing

Meet Our Trainer

Marya Wright, DSW MSW BSW, is a nationally recognized social worker, consultant, educator, and facilitator with extensive experience in organizational leadership, child welfare services, and curriculum development. As the President and CEO of Wright Community Services LLC, Dr. Wright is dedicated to empowering system-involved families through awareness, services, and education. She also provides consultation, training, and facilitation to agencies serving these communities.

Dr. Wright earned her master’s in social work from Cal State East Bay, specializing in Child Welfare Policy and Research, and a bachelor’s in social work with a focus on Child Welfare Services and Motivational Interviewing from San Diego State University. She holds a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, focusing on achieving equal opportunity and justice in the child welfare system.

As a community leader, Dr. Wright prioritizes building relationships, networking, and collaborating with stakeholders to address social and economic issues faced by clients, aiming for justice and peace. She serves as a qualified expert witness and forensic social worker. Additionally, Dr. Wright sits on the Board of Directors for the California Society of Clinical Social Work and is actively involved with the National Association of Social Workers and California Chapter.

Dr. Wright’s research interests include child sexual exploitation, foster care, and algorithmic decision-making in child welfare. She has published articles and lectured extensively on these topics. Dr. Wright’s teaching experience includes courses in sociology and social work at Cal State East Bay, focusing on sexualities, child welfare policy, family sociology, and sexual violence. Currently, she serves as a professor in the graduate program teaching generalist practice, human behavior and social environment, and advance practice children youth and families.

This course meets the qualifications for (5.0) BBS CE hours for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.