Chapin Hall

On Juneteenth, we commemorate America’s second independence day, marking the day when enslaved people in Texas learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had passed two years earlier. The institution of slavery was over, but inequitable treatment that perpetuated ongoing trauma in communities of color continued. Today, we still struggle with the vestiges of racism in our institutions.

At Chapin Hall, we work to address bias in research and advance racial equity in systems. Our unique combination of research and policy expertise, informed by deep experience in the systems with which we work, allows us to work with our partners to expedite solutions to the problems families face.

The following resources have been developed by Chapin Hall to help advance racial equity:

• Elevating Culturally Specific Evidence-based Practices provides an overview of 10 culturally specific and two culturally responsive programs designed by tribal communities and communities of color.Since we first posted this report in 2021, five of these programs have been reviewed by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. Three of them – Familias Unidas, Family Spirit and Strong African American Families — have been approved for federal reimbursement.
• The Racial Bias Assessment Tool allows researchers to assess survey data for potential racial and ethnic bias. It can also be used as a guide to inform survey development. Of tool users who responded to a survey about this instrument, 69% said the tool provided them with specific steps on how to reduce the risk of racial and ethnic bias.
• In child welfare, we created two robust equity-related resources. Advancing Equity through Research and Evaluation: A Guide for Child Welfare Leaders and Decision Makers  provides an Influence Framework that walks users through the research and evaluation life cycle and how decision makers can prioritize equity at each step. Applying Race Equity Strategies throughout the Continuous Quality Improvement Process offers action steps to apply within each of the core functions of the CQI process.
• Achieving racial equity is also at the center of our youth homelessness work, as youth of color are disproportionately affected by housing instability. This report conveys the importance of Centering Racial Equity in Youth Homelessness.

In 2021, Chapin Hall decided to add Juneteenth as a work holiday for our staff. Learn more about our journey as an anti-racist organization and about Chapin Hall’s Racial Equity Principles. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, ChapInsights, to stay on top of our latest evidence and tools for the field.