Sara Pieper and Nikki Domico Swk 444 12/10/2008. Macon County Demographics 14% of Macon County is considered under the poverty line 82% of the population.

Sara Pieper and Nikki DomicoSwk 444

12/10/2008

Macon County Demographics14% of Macon County is considered under

the poverty line82% of the population are white, 14% are

African American, and 1% are Native American, 3% are other

The average household income in $39,047 per year, which is slightly below the average national income

The divorce rate of Macon County couples is approximately 13%

Permanency Information

Permanency InformationEach Year African American children have

more indicated reportsCould be due to cultural differencesThe evaluation tools used may not

accommodate certain cultural norms; which may result in a higher amount of indicated reports as opposed to Caucasian and Hispanic children.

Permanency InformationFor example in the Karp’s article Crack

Babies: Black children defy stereotypes, face bias, it was reported that African American women in the intercity had their babies tested more often for drug exposure in comparison to Caucasian women. However, their babies were tested without their consent sometimes. If more African American children are having hotline calls on them it is likely that more of them would also have more indicated reports

Permanency Information

Permanency InformationAfrican American and Caucasian children the

percentages children who did not experience a substitute care placement are fairly high.

For the majority of the years more African American families receiving intact services did not have their kids placed in substitute care.

One reason could be strong family support among the culture, and ability to follow the service plan

Permanency Information

Permanency Information Overall high numbers of children do not leave the

system within 12 monthsFor the years of 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 the

length of stay for African American children has been much longer than Caucasian children.

reasons: the parents have not completed their service plan, a permanent placement cannot be found, a child’s guardian may be found unfit, etc.

Dixon’s article helped to remind us that racism is still prevalent which is causing discrimination, and therefore increasing racial problems and issues towards African Americans

Permanency InformationAll permanency information was derived from

the University of Illinois Child and Family Research Center website utilizing Macon County statistics

http://cfrcwww.social.uiuc.edu

Group Project: Church Support Inventory

Called local Decatur churches to find who was willing to participate in mentoring and transporting struggling parents in the DCFS system

Found that most churches were unwilling to contribute unless parents were current members of the church

Most churches were willing to offer pastoral counseling services as a “walk-in” basis

out of 21 churches were willing to participate in a mentoring program

Group Project: Toy DriveTwo campus toy drives to collect toys for

Macon Co. foster childrenDonations from: Alpha Chi Omega(Millikin

University) and Epsilon Sigma Alpha(Illinois State University)

Donations include: winter clothing, board games, coloring books, art supplies, and other toys

ReferencesDixon, T. (2008). Network News and Racial

Beliefs: Exploring the Connection Between National Television News Exposure and Stereotypical Perceptions of African Americans. Journal of Communication. 58, 321-337.

Karp, S. (2001). Crack Babies: Black Children Defy Stereotypes, Face Basis. The Chicago Reporter. February 2001.