Data Reveals Racial Disparities Among Caseworkers and Children in Foster Care

The Alaska Office of Children’s Services (OCS) has faced significant challenges in recent years due to issues related to staffing shortages, high turnover rates, and elevated caseloads. These systemic problems have prompted heightened scrutiny of how effectively the agency serves the state’s vulnerable youth population, particularly Indigenous children, who are significantly overrepresented in the child welfare system.

According to the 2023 progress report on Alaska’s child welfare system, only 8.7% of caseworkers identify as Alaska Native or American Indian, while over 71.9% are white. Among the agency’s supervisory staff, all but two of the 13 supervisors are white, raising concerns about the cultural competence and representation of the workforce. Indigenous children, who comprise approximately 23.8% of the population under 18 in Alaska, consistently represent around two-thirds of those in out-of-home care, with historical figures soaring as high as 69%. This stark demographic discrepancy has sparked calls for more culturally responsive care and staffing that better reflects the communities being served.

Mary Johnson, senior director of family services at the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, has been vocal about the racial disparities in the system. “How do we connect with this, these 69% of our families?” she posed, emphasizing the necessity of employing individuals from similar backgrounds to relate more effectively with Indigenous families.

In response to these challenges, Kate Paskievitch, a public information officer with the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services, stated that OCS is addressing cultural responsiveness through training programs and partnerships with local tribes. This approach aims to bridge the gap between state services and Indigenous communities. As part of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), the agency is obligated to prioritize placing Indigenous children with family members or in local communities when feasible.

The issue of representation in child welfare is further complicated by ongoing staffing shortages. Trevor Storrs, president of the Alaska Children’s Trust, acknowledged the difficulty of focusing on demographic alignment in hiring practices amid a strained system. “They are challenged by high caseloads and the inability to retain staff,” he noted, highlighting the adverse conditions faced by caseworkers.

Storrs also pointed to a recent audit revealing that many new hires lacked formal social work credentials, with some possessing only a high school diploma. This raises questions about the quality of care provided to children in the system. He advocated for greater attention to preventative measures, suggesting that fewer children should require intervention from OCS if systemic issues like substance abuse and educational disengagement were effectively addressed.

In a promising development, a federal class-action lawsuit seeking comprehensive reform of the state’s foster care system awaits a ruling, potentially paving the way for significant changes designed to improve outcomes for Alaska’s most vulnerable children. As the state grapples with these multifaceted issues, it remains critical to prioritize the cultural competencies of OCS staff and ensure adequate resources are allocated toward a sustainable child welfare system that serves all Alaskans equitably.