CULTURAL HUMILITY: RACIAL DISPARITY AND DISPROPORTIONALITY HOW IT RELATES TO CHILD WELFARE AND MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING AND PREPAREDNESS

Author

Jennifer A. Perry, California State University - San BernardinoFollow
Ashley L. Castro, California State University - San BernardinoFollow

Date of Award

6-2020

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Simon, James

Abstract

The research problem was mandated reporters’ in a public assistance setting and child welfare social workers’ perception of cultural humility and cultural training. The research proposed that the lack of cultural humility training for both mandated reporters in public social service sectors and child welfare social workers has an impact of on the disparity and disproportionality in child welfare cases. A critical theory approach was adopted, and qualitative data was collected via face-to-face interviews. A snowball sampling strategy was used to select study participants. Study findings suggested that there is a cultural humility training provided to child welfare social workers, but it may lack substance and frequency, leaving the social workers feeling disengaged with their clients and community networks. The study also found that there is no training available to mandated reporters in public social services on cultural preparedness and awareness. This raises issues and implications for services to the clients. It is also suggested there may be a connection between the mandated reporter’s hesitation when igniting their responsibility as a mandated reporter to report suspected abuse and their level of preparedness and understanding of cultural humility. All information found through the interviews and the common themes have been shared with both mandated reporters in a public social service setting and child welfare social workers encouraging them to act and advocate for additional training to improve practice and service. Copies of the research data will be made available to all Southern California inland counties to raise awareness of the current concerns. Suggestions are to be given to these inland counties regarding additional trainings and cultural humility and cultural awareness practices.

Recommended Citation

Perry, Jennifer A. and Castro, Ashley L., "CULTURAL HUMILITY: RACIAL DISPARITY AND DISPROPORTIONALITY HOW IT RELATES TO CHILD WELFARE AND MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING AND PREPAREDNESS" (2020). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 1025.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1025