United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Health, Education, and Human Services Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1998-09-15 monographic deposited born digital 14 p. GA 1.13:T-HEHS-98-241 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-241 P0b002ee180382338 f:he98241t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-241 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-241 T-HEHS-98-241 Foster children Child adoption State law Racial discrimination Child custody Federal/state relations Families Civil rights law Minorities California Alameda County (CA) San Diego County (CA) Testimony HEHS Federal law prohibits consideration of race in making decisions about where to place children in foster care. As a result, caseworkers have had to set aside their personal views, which in many cases hold that eliminating race as a factor will lead to placements that are not in the best interests of children. GAO found lingering confusion among state and local officials and caseworkers about allowable actions under the law. GAO notes that all levels of government face three significant challenges in changing placement practices. First, agencies need to continue changing long-standing social work practices, such as the beliefs of some officials and caseworkers that the interests of children are best served when race is considered. Second, agencies need to translate legal principles into practical advice for caseworkers. Although officials and caseworkers GAO spoke with understood that the law prohibits them from delaying or denying placement on the basis of race, they also voiced confusion about allowable actions under the law. Third, agencies need to develop information systems to monitor compliance with restrictions on race in placement decisions. This testimony summarizes the September 1998 report, GAO/HEHS-98-204. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-241/html/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-241.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-241/pdf/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-241.pdf GAO/T-HEHS-98-241 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-241 Testimony GAO/T-HEHS-98-241; Foster Care: Challenges Faced in Implementing the Multiethnic Placement Act; Foster children Child adoption State law Racial discrimination Child custody Federal/state relations Families Civil rights law Minorities California Alameda County (CA) San Diego County (CA) Volume 108 Page 3518 108 Stat. 3518 Volume 110 Page 1755 110 Stat. 1755 Public Law 103-382 Public Law 104-188