AZ DCS and experts grapple with how to address 'extreme' racial disparities

PHOENIX — Data shows that the Arizona Department of Child Safety disproportionately investigates and removes Black children from their homes, compared to white and Hispanic kids.

ABC15 first highlighted the 'extreme' disparities in February, and shared the 'nightmare' experience of the Ranger family. The researchers found Maricopa County led the country in foster care placement and termination of parental rights for African Americans.

The higher-education authors said it was "comparatively extreme," the rate at which Maricopa County Black children were removed from their parents during the four-year time period.

Arizona DCS Director Mike Faust acknowledges there are real issues and that his agency needs to better address the glaring racial discrepancies.

Read the full story by Zach Crenshaw at: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/az-dcs-and-experts-grapple-with-how-to-address-extreme-racial-disparities