Professional Perceptions of Systemic Disparities Among Black Crossover Youth in Congregate Settings

Background: Foster care youth placed in congregate settings are at greater risk for negative outcomes, while in care. Placement in these environments often follow a trajectory of youth crossing over into the juvenile justice system. Black youth, overrepresented in the foster care and juvenile justice systems respectively, and among the population of crossover youth, are disproportionately placed in congregate settings. Research suggests that individual youth factors, such as serious behavior problems explain the race disparities of Black youth being in congregate placements at an increased rate. This position suggests an inherent pathology among Black maltreated youth, distinct from other abused and neglected adolescents. Extant literature notes factors, which systemically perpetuate race disproportionality in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. However, views from professionals, working in these systems, specifically on race disparities among Black crossover youth, are sparse. This study addresses this gap in the literature. Through the lens of critical race theory, the perceptions child welfare and juvenile justice professionals working with crossover youth shared their beliefs on systemic racial bias impacting Black adolescents in congregate settings.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 child welfare and juvenile justice professionals in three major cities in Texas. Participants include judges, child welfare and juvenile justice program directors, and attorneys. Child welfare and juvenile justice professionals were recruited using a mix of snowball and convenience sampling. Data was analyzed using a phenomenological approach using semi-structured interviews to elicit participant views on their perceptions of systemic racial barriers, and the impact of placement in congregate settings on Black crossover youth. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed and coded.

Findings: Findings illuminate the views of professionals on the impact of systemic racism on Black crossover youth, who are disproportionately placed in congregate care. There was a common thread of responses from professionals acknowledging the presence to race disparities in congregate placements of Black crossover adolescents. Key beliefs included: the impact of congregate placement on the crossover trajectory, systemic race bias of placement of Black youth in these settings, and compounded risk of being Black, male, and dually involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

Conclusion and Implications: Literature on crossover youth continues to develop and the exploration of professionals working with this population needs continued attention in the literature. Results from this study suggests the existence of systemic and compounded barriers for Black crossover youth, particularly when they are in congregate placements. Additional qualitative work exploring perceptions of professionals across different jurisdictions is needed. Implications for multi-system collaboration to enhance service provision, and a need for race-based social justice advocacy is presented.