Examines the unique challenges faced by the American child welfare system as the country addresses the rapidly growing Hispanic immigrant population. Since 1990, the U.S. Latino population has increased by 61 percent, creating wide gaps in cultural understanding and knowledge for child welfare workers and government, and presenting complex legal, social, and civil issues for immigrants, U.S. officials, and social welfare groups. Young children of immigrants often live in poverty, and contrary to popular belief a 2005 study by the Urban Institute discovered that young children of immigrant families are less likely to receive the benefits of government programs such as food stamps, TANF, or child care. Child welfare workers, often deficient in knowledge about immigration laws affecting refugee children and families, as well as lacking relevant cultural understanding, face many challenges when trying to assist this rapidly growing population. Organizations such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the American Humane Association, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) are responding to this critical issue by providing training to private and federal children’s service organizations, drawing awareness to issues through publications and other media outlets, and implementing information-gathering initiatives aimed at better understanding and assisting immigrant families. (IP)
