November 1, 2010

Mangano Announces Symposium
Regarding Disproportionate Minority Representation
In Child Welfare & Juvenile Justice

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano is pleased to announce County Departments are sponsoring a symposium entitled, “The Dimensions of Disparity of Minority Representation in Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice” on Thursday, November 4, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the Multipurpose Room at Hofstra University’s Mack Student Center.

Nassau County was one of five counties across New York selected to participate in a statewide pilot project to address the disproportionate minority representation (DMR) of youth in out-of-home placements.  “In Nassau County, the number of African American and Latino youth placed in foster care and through the juvenile justice system accounts for 78% of all out-of-home placements,”  stated County Executive Mangano.  “The number of African American and Latino youth throughout the county constitutes 24% of the entire population.  Clearly there is a disproportionate number of minority youth in out of home placements.  It is critical that we evaluate and address this matter with key people throughout the County.” 

The Symposium is intended to educate professionals by providing alternative models and strategies to reduce the racial disparities in child welfare and juvenile justice programs.  “Our goal,” stated Social Services Commissioner John Imhof, “is to heighten public awareness of the issue of overrepresentation of minority children and youth in the public child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and to alter conditions, policies and practices that may contribute to disproportionality in these systems.”

For further information regarding this symposium, please contact Terry Berkman at (516) 227- 8419.