Disproportionality
Disproportionality refers to a situation in which a particular racial/ethnic group of children is represented in a system (e.g. child welfare, juvenile justice, special education) at a higher percentage than other racial/ethnic groups. It looks across racial/ethnic groups at relative ratios of children at various points in the system to their numbers in the general population. [1]
Disparity refers to disparate or inequitable treatment (how the individual is treated) or services (types, quality, and quantity of services available) provided to minority children as compared to those provided to similarly situated Caucasian children. [1]
Congruent with the goals of this site, Diversity @ NASW - Iowa aims to:
Provided below are introductions and contact information for some of these groups, committees, and organizations working to address disproportionality. If you are aware of changes, additions, or corrections to this listing, please see Contact Us!
Disparity refers to disparate or inequitable treatment (how the individual is treated) or services (types, quality, and quantity of services available) provided to minority children as compared to those provided to similarly situated Caucasian children. [1]
Congruent with the goals of this site, Diversity @ NASW - Iowa aims to:
- raise awareness of disproportionality within Iowa and
- bridge multiple local and state-wide initiatives that are working relentlessly to address this injustice in our communitities and
- connect passionate individuals with groups of people with similar goals.
Provided below are introductions and contact information for some of these groups, committees, and organizations working to address disproportionality. If you are aware of changes, additions, or corrections to this listing, please see Contact Us!
Iowa DMC Committee
The federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act requires states to assess the extent to which minority youth are overrepresented in the juvenile justice system - and, if minority youth are overrepresented, to implement activities to impact the issue. Iowa's Juvenile Justice Advisory Council has charged a state Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Committee to provide oversight for Iowa’s DMC effort.
More information can be found at: http://www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/dmc/index.html
More information can be found at: http://www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/dmc/index.html
DMC Resource Center - University of Iowa
The DMC Resource Center serves statewide and community efforts to reduce disproportionality and over-represenation of minority youth in the juvenile justice and child welfare system by, assisting with evaluation, analysis of data and providing technical assistance on issues including health and education-related disparities. The DMC Resource Center is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Human Services, Iowa Department of Human Rights, Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning and the University of Iowa School of Social Work.
More information can be found at: http://www.uiowa.edu/~nrcfcp/dmcrc/index.shtml
More information can be found at: http://www.uiowa.edu/~nrcfcp/dmcrc/index.shtml
1. Race Matters Consortium, 2011