{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Infant rates of child protective services contact and termination of parental rights by first nations status from 1998 to 2019: An example of intergenerational transmission of colonial harm.
{Author}: Kenny KS;Wall-Wieler E;Frank K;Courchene L;Burton M;Dreaver C;Champagne M;Bennett M;Rocke C;Brownell M;Anderson M;Urquia ML;
{Journal}: Child Abuse Negl
{Volume}: 154
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Aug 6
{Factor}: 4.863
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106760
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Rates of child removal by child protective services (CPS) in Manitoba are the highest in Canada with a profoundly disproportionate impact on First Nations families. Despite infants constituting the highest proportion of children affected, no research has examined population-level rates of infant contact with CPS.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>We examined the incidence of infant contact with different levels of CPS, including termination of parental rights (TPR), according to First Nations status.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We identified 217,261 infants (47,416 First Nations; 169,845 non-First Nations) born between 1998 and 2014 in Manitoba, Canada and residing in the province until at least age 5.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We used linked administrative data to calculate population-level rates of contact with different levels of CPS by First Nations status, including an open file before age 1, out-of-home placement before age 1, and TPR before age 5.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Overall 35.8 % of First Nations infants had an open file, 8.5 % experienced out-of-home placement, and 5.4 % experienced TPR. Among other infants, 8.5 % had an open file, 1.3 % experienced out-of-home placement and 0.7 % experienced TPR. The rate of early-stage contact increased the fastest among First Nations infants, with a rise of 22.4 % in our study period, compared to a rise of 1.7 % among all other infants.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>CPS contact was exceptionally high among First Nations infants compared to other infants, with early-stage contact accelerating most dramatically over time. Findings support calls to greatly reduce the disruption of system contact in the lives of First Nations families.