Work of state commission will benefit all Hoosiers, Patchner says

Dean Michael Patchner

     Jan. 28, 2008 – Indiana University School of Social Work Dean Michael Patchner said Monday that all Hoosiers would benefit from the work of a newly created task force, the Commission on Disproportionality of Youth Services.

     The commission, of which Patchner is chair, held its first meeting Monday as it set out to review practices and policies of services to youths

in the child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health and education systems.

     The commission was created by the Indiana General Assembly and its members were appointed by the governor, the Indiana House and Senate.

     In essence, the commission is charged with looking into reasons behind the high numbers of minorities in the human service systems and what can be done about it.

      Information presented to commission members Monday showed, for example, the juvenile custody rate for white children in Indiana was 280 per 100,000 population. For black children, it was 1,260 per 100,000 population.

     Similarly, while black children make up 10.4 percent of the state’s youth population, black kids represented 39.5 percent of the children in foster care in Indiana.

     Patchner told the commission members their charge is to review the state’s public and private child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health and educational delivery systems to evaluate the disproportionality rates and examine the delivery of youth services.

     The commission is to suggest policy and legislative changes related to youth services to help enhance the quality of youth services, identify resources to promote changes and to reduce the disproportionality by youth of color in various service systems.

     Patchner noted that the commission’s work will undoubtedly help everyone in the state.

      The dean pointed out that when he arrived at the State Office Building South, he was carrying three boxes and was able to open the door by activating the automatic door function.

     The presence of the automatic doors is a testament to the nation’s commitment to assist people with disabilities lead full and independent lives, Patchner said. But in reality, the doors help everyone, whether it’s a mother with a baby stroller or someone whose arms are full, Patchner said.

     “When we address these issues of over representation of minority youth in youth services, we will all benefit.”

     As a first step, commission members agreed Monday to divide up into four subcommittees looking at child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health and educational systems. The commission faces a deadline of Aug. 15 to produce a report recommending changes.

     The commission members also agreed to name Angela Green of the Department of Child Services, co-chair of the commission.

      The ultimate goal of the commission is to help create a youth services delivery system where “outcome should not be predictable by race,” Green said.

     The commission is scheduled to meet again on Feb. 25.

     For more information contact Rob Schneider, Indiana University School of Social Work, 317-278-0303 or at robschn@iupui.edu.