The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is committed to improving child welfare system outcomes by weaving equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging into all aspects of the Department’s practices, policies, operations, and services.
Historically, various populations have experience disproportionality and disparity in child welfare systems across the country, including Black and African American, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning and other gender–nonconforming people (LGBTQ+).
DCFS intends to improve outcomes for children and families by working closely with community partners, stakeholders, the Chief Executive Office’s (CEO) Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative, and partners in other County departments.
For decades, DCFS has championed numerous strategies to improve the outcomes of overrepresented and marginalized populations within the Los Angeles County child welfare system.
The following are some notable moments in DCFS’ history of equity work:
It is the department’s desire and hope that staff, community partners, and advocates will remain energized and engaged in this work to drive strategies that bolster equity for the children and families who receive services from DCFS.
The Office of Equity (OOE) is a specialized division within DCFS responsible for providing centralized oversight and direction of equitable policies, practices, programs and services intended to better meet the needs of underserved populations.
The division consists of three program pillars – Eliminating Racial Disproportionality and Disparity (ERDD), LGBTQ+, and Women and Girls. Each pillar provides guidance and support to DCFS programs and regional offices through the lens of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender.
Additionally, the OOE serves as a critical partner and voice that represents the interests of DCFS’ workforce with guidance from the county’s ARDI Initiative, which advances best practices in equity efforts.
At DCFS, we are deeply committed to identifying and addressing inequitable conditions that perpetuate disparate outcomes of overrepresented populations. In partnership with community members, the following efforts are currently underway.
Like all young people, LGBTQ+ children and youth in foster care need nurturing families and caregivers to help them navigate their adolescence and grow into healthy adults. Some LGBTQ+ youth are rejected by their families or caregivers, placing them at a higher risk of experiencing disruptions in their housing stability.
DCFS partners with the Foster Together Network, foster family agencies and community agencies to increase recruitment, education and support for affirming caregivers where LGBTQ+ youth feel welcomed and safe.
The Community Cultural Broker Program provides an opportunity for Black and African American community stakeholders to offer volunteer peer support to Black and African American children and families navigating the child welfare system.
This community-administered program pairs Community Cultural Brokers with families to bridge the cultural gap between DCFS, parents and other family members. It also connects Black and African American families to culturally relevant services and support.
The ERDD Community Advisory Taskforce meets monthly. The community-led group explores strategies and offers recommendations on practices intended to eliminate the overrepresentation of Black and African American families in the child welfare system.
The advisory taskforce is comprised of parents with lived experience, nonprofit sector and faith-based partners, representatives from DCFS, the Department of Mental Health, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, legal services, philanthropy and academia.
Children have better psychological, emotional, educational and social outcomes when fathers are involved, according to research. At DCFS, we are committed to father and paternal relative engagement.
Working closely with community organizations, several DCFS regional offices have developed Fatherhood conferences and programs that include “Men in Relationships” groups and “Fatherhood” training for the trainer. These efforts promote engagement and encourage social work practices that include fathers and paternal relatives in all cases, especially those of Black and African American families.
Located in every regional office and most specialized programs, LGBTQ+ Champions are volunteer staff members committed to equity and well-being for LGBTQ+ children, youth and young adults. Champions provide ongoing and direct support to staff, such as case consultations, sharing resources and training opportunities. Champions also are charged with increasing visibility and awareness of the needs and supports available for LGBTQ+ young people.
The LGBTQ+ Program strives to improve authentic engagement with youth through affirming practices to provide supports and services to meet the underlying needs of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. These strategies include staff education and training, coaching, partnerships with community-based organizations, policy development, and ongoing accountability.
Strong Assessments from Engagement (S.A.F.E.) Reduction of Entries involves the strategic implementation of practices aimed at safely decreasing the number of Black and African American children entering foster care. This approach calls for staff to proactively learn about bias and racism and empowers workers to flag race-related issues in child welfare work.
Additionally, staff are encouraged to create safe spaces to partake in candid conversations about practices, policies and behaviors that contribute to racial disparity and disproportionality in systems of care.
DCFS has established several specialized programs and units to support the unique needs of LA County’s diverse families. The efforts aim to enhance access to services that better meet unique linguistic and cultural needs, and address systemic barriers that some young people and families may face.
DCFS provides safe and affirming environments intended to uplift the sexual orientation, gender-identify and expression of LGBTQ+ youth, so they may thrive. Youth who identify as LGBTQ+ may receive affirming services tailored to fit their needs and those of their families through Tailored Services for LGBTQ+ Youth.
To access the free program, youth may be referred or self-refer through an electronic referral form available on the LGBTQ+ Youth page.
In 2016, the Board of Supervisors established a countywide Women and Girls initiative to examine systemic issues that lead to inequitable gender outcomes. DCFS’ Women and Girls’ program strategically aligns with the county’s initiative and its goal is to address gender disparities in the workforce and in our department’s service provision to children and youth in care.
In addition, DCFS’ Women and Girls Program participates in the department’s efforts to assess its policies, services and programs using a gender lens.
DCFS values the input of community members and remains attentive to questions, concerns, comments and recommendations. To that end we, are on a continuing journey to reconcile anything that does not align with our organizational values of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Child welfare is a constantly evolving field and we welcome all opportunities to review our practices and evaluate new strategies. To get involved in DCFS’ equity work, please email publicinquiry@dcfs.lacounty.gov.
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