Ethnic matching: A two-state comparison of child welfare workers' attitudes

The purpose of this study is to explore child welfare workers' perspectives on ethnic matching in child welfare service delivery. Specifically, regarding ethnic matching; the authors investigate worker perceptions of advantages and disadvantages, worker preferences, ‘goodness of fit’ issues, barriers to implementation, enhancement of family engagement, and positive outcomes for families and children of color involved in child welfare services. Using qualitative interviews with child welfare workers who are currently or have recently been employed in public child welfare agencies in two states in the USA, this study provides direct input from frontline personnel and supervisors. A grounded theory analysis of participant responses produced results that reflect the complexities involved with ethnic matching. Themes highlight potential benefits and challenges concerning ethnic matching; along with identification of other issues involved with client outcomes. Study findings also provide contextual information for research, policy making, and practice concerning the manner in which services are provided to children of color, who are currently overrepresented in the system. •Ethnic matching may help reduce disproportionality in the child welfare system.•Ethnic matching can lead to ‘goodness of fit’ between workers and clients and enhanced engagement with families.•Though workers and clients may be ethnically matched; in some cases, cultural disconnects arise and can be problematic.•Feasibility is an issue since there are often not enough workers of various ethnicities to implement ethnic matching.•Ethnic mismatches are problematic in foster care between foster families and African American children.