Eliminating Disparities & Reducing Disproportionality:
The Role of Strategic Partnerships

Eliminating disparities and addressing disproportionality are the result of shared work and partnership among public child welfare agencies as well as government, community stakeholders and allied agencies such as employment and training. Each type of partner adds value to the conversation. In particular, children, youth and families should inform the process because of the unique stories they are able to tell about their experiences, having been served by the public child welfare service system.

The type of partnership the child welfare agency establishes may vary according to the need that is presented. For instance, an agency’s partnership with community churches may involve the recruitment of foster or adoptive families, while partnering with the court may involve establishing protocols so that families involved in both systems are treated equitably. While public child welfare agencies may establish different types of strategic partnerships, all partnerships must promote communication, reduce duplication, coordinate efforts of promoting racial equity and leverage resources effectively.

Strategic partners may include:

• Children, Youth, Biological Family, Kin Family, Resource Family, Foster Family, Adoptive Family
• Public human services programs, including: Medical, Mental Health, Food Stamps, Education, Schools, Juvenile Justice, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Child Care, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
• Courts, Judges
• Law Enforcement, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Guardians Ad Litem, Non-Profits, Vendors, Service Providers, Contractors
• Policymakers, Tribes, Regulatory Bodies, Legislatures, Federal Government, State Government, Local Government
• Non-Profits, Vendors, Service Providers, Contractors, Private Providers
• Community, Advocates, Local Foundations, National Organizations, Universities, Faith-based Organizations, National Associations, Service Organizations