One State’s Journey in Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disproportionality Along the Child Welfare Continuum

Illinois is one of the few states that have implemented ongoing monitoring of racial and ethnic disproportionality within the child welfare system. Beginning in the late 1990s, Illinois’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) collaborated with state universities to understand the causes of this ongoing issue. Additionally, a series of committees and legislative policies have kept DCFS aware of state and regional trends. This paper explores the history, policies, strategies, and recommendations Illinois has made that emphasize the state’s commitment to reducing statewide racial disproportionality in child welfare. It also provides lessons learned so that jurisdictions that are considering the development of tracking systems can benefit from the successes and challenges Illinois has experienced over the last 25 years.