How Poverty Became Neglect in the Child Welfare System
How Poverty Became Neglect in the Child Welfare System
Room 346: 9:45 AM to 11:00 AM
This session examines the historical roots of modern child welfare law and policy, tracing how race, parental fitness standards, and federal funding converged to transform poverty—particularly Black poverty—into “neglect” under the law. Through a historical lens spanning slavery, social welfare policy, and the landmark 1961 Flemming Rule, this presentation reveals how legal and financing decisions reshaped family surveillance, foster care, and child removal practices. Participants are invited to deepen their understanding of how past policies continue to shape today’s child welfare system and to critically consider how these systems might be untangled moving forward.
Panelists:
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Prudence Beidler Carr, ABA Center on Children and the Law
- Natasha Khalfani, Better Together
Moderator: Stephanie Joseph, Maryland Office of the Public Defender