Susan Abrams, Director of Policy and Training at CLC spoke with Black Voice News about SB 354.
Susan Abrams, Director of Policy and Training at Children’s Law Center of California, explained that one of the reasons her organization advocated for the passage of this bill was because of the potential benefits to children and families of color.
“If you think about the racism that exists within the criminal justice system, and then if you’re using a criminal history to evaluate whether a caregiver can be a safe home, then you’re bringing that racism into the child welfare system,” Abrams stated.
“The laws that prohibit placement of children with relatives because of criminal history are inherently racist and have an inherent bias against children and families of color, and are stopping children of color from being able to be placed with their families.”