A CRITICAL EXPLORATION OF DEI LEADERSHIP PRACTICES IN ONTARIO’S CHILD WELFARE

Abstract

The primary goal of my research is to understand how practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are used to mitigate the elevated numbers of children of African heritage in child welfare. The disproportionate state-sanctioned child welfare apprehensions of Black children present as policing our most vulnerable members from communities of African heritage – our children. The anti-Black state violence in Ontario has been “acknowledged” by child welfare agencies who are now required to address the racial disparities within child welfare agencies. This thesis attempts to understand the histories, complexities, and current measures aimed at mitigating disparities of African, Caribbean, and Black children involved in child protective services from the perspective of child welfare service providers of African heritage. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are incorporated into hegemonic child welfare institutions while the provincial government has failed to publicly critique the current measures implemented to address the disparities for communities of African heritage. Five participants were recruited from the Greater Toronto Hamilton area to participate in one-to-one interviews