Mecklenburg County Prejudicial in DSS Substantiations

Mixed-Race Children Substantiated at higher rate in abuse investigations

The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services shows racial prejudice when it comes to investigating allegations of abuse or neglect, according to a national watchdog organization.

"The numbers and percentages of DSS substantiations in families with black/white mixed race children in Mecklenburg County clearly indicate a pattern of prejudice," said Cheryl Barnes, National Director of CPS Watch, an organization monitoring child protection agencies nationwide. "The DSS case involving the children of Jack and Kathy Stratton is one current and very alarming example."

When it came to investigations of black/white mixed race children, 61% of the investigations were substantiated; compared with only 39% for the rest of the state.

"To say that Mecklenburg County has a prejudice against mixed race families is an understatement," stated Cheryl Barnes. "The data clearly shows that in Mecklenburg County black/white mixed race children are much more likely to be removed from their homes and placed into foster care," Barnes said.

Mecklenburg County DSS substantiated 41% of their overall investigations, compared with only 31% for the rest of North Carolina. Caucasian children were substantiated in 36% of the cases in Mecklenburg County. Statewide that percentage was 30.9%. Black children were substantiated in 43% of the cases in Mecklenburg County, compared with only 33% in the rest of the state, according to data analyzed by CPS Watch investigators.

"Overall, Mecklenburg County substantiates investigations at a rate much higher than the rest of the state," said Barnes, "But the very alarming point is the extremely high substantiation rate with regard to mixed race children."

Data regarding the foster care population on June 30, 2002 showed that Mecklenburg County had 5.8 out of every 1,000 children in foster care; the state average is 4.8 per 1,000. Neighboring Wake County showed only 3.15 in foster care per 1,000 children.

"The data indicates that Mecklenburg County is quicker to remove children from their homes than the rest of the state," Barnes stated. "And once in foster care, as we see in the Stratton case, it is very difficult to get the children returned."

Barnes confirms that she will attend the Mecklenburg County Citizens Town Hall Meeting as a panel member. The November 25th meeting is sponsored by The Children's Legal Foundation & Justice Coalition, and will be held at the Adams Mark Hotel ballroom, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The event is open to the public.

"Our organization is attending the meeting to present an analysis of data regarding DSS substantiations in Mecklenburg County," Barnes said. "I also want to inform parents of their rights when dealing with DSS and present some of our legal strategies that have been effective in other states."

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Resources:
For more information visit the CPS Watch website at www.cpswatch.com.

Data analyzed was obtained from North Carolina County Statistics for Foster Care; Population Data from the State Data Center; North Carolina Division of Social Services Central Registry Data, All Investigative Assessments, 2000-2001; North Carolina Division of Social Services Central Registry Data, Children Substantiated, 2000-2001; North Carolina Division of Social Services Central Registry Data, Children Substantiated, 2000-2001. Tables and charts available by email to cbarnes@cpswatch.com