Racial disparities are blatant and continue to persist in child welfare systems in many states across the nation, according to reports and national studies.
The Michigan Race Equality Coalition says minority children are more likely than white children to enter and stay in the state's foster care system.
A new report supports anecdotal evidence and national studies that show racial disparities in child welfare. Coalition leaders say the data could help state agencies improve prevention and early intervention efforts, and will inform policies to support children in the system.
The report says African-American children are more than twice as likely to age out of the foster care system. Hispanic children are 40 percent more likely to be removed from their homes.
The coalition is led by Supreme Court Justice Mary Beth Kelly and ex-state Rep. Lynn Jondahl. It includes more than 40 advocacy organizations, circuit courts and law enforcement groups.
The Michigan Race Equality Coalition is taking steps to try to change these grim statistics and patterns when it comes to minority children.
Get more information about the Coalition's study results and work.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.