Building on the 2018 Charlottesville Child Welfare report, this study investigates racial disproportionality – over-representation of racial groups in the child welfare system relative to their presence in the population – and racial disparity – less favorable outcomes for some racial groups compared to others – for children interacting with the Charlottesville Department of Social Services over a three year period, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017.

Nutrition and health have a close relationship. Lacking key nutrients, or malnutrition, can have a significant impact on an individual’s health outcomes, both short- and long-term. However, nutrient deficiency can take several forms. It does not necessarily signify a lack of food; it can also mean lacking access to, or education about, healthy food and eating patterns. Even those who do have the means to buy and eat healthy foods can be nutrient deficient depending on the foods they choose to consume.

Studies throughout the United States have repeatedly shown that black children and their families are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system and frequently experience disparate, and less favorable, outcomes relative to white children and their families.

This project aims to create a base map of services available in Charlottesville and Albemarle county for children ages 0-5 living in low-income families, at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. As a team, we inventoried child care, early childhood education, health, nutrition, special education, home visiting, and foster care prevention services available to low-income families.