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Multi Ethnic
Placement Act (MEPA) & the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) Click here for a printable version There is a need
for families interested in adopting and/or fostering to learn about the laws
and regulations that govern foster care and adoption services. This
information sheet concerns two of those laws: the Multiethnic Placement Act
(MEPA) and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI). Purpose of the laws: ·
To decrease the length of time that children wait to be adopted. ·
To prevent discrimination in the placement of children
on the basis of race, color or national origin. ·
To facilitate the identification and recruitment of
foster and adoptive families who can meet children’s needs. Basic requirements of the laws: ·
Prohibits federally funded foster care and
adoption agencies from delaying or denying the placement of a child for
adoption or into foster care based on the race, color or national origin of
the adoptive or foster parent or of the child involved. ·
Prohibits federally funded agencies from denying any
person the opportunity to become an adoptive or foster parent on the basis of race, color or national origin of the
person or the child involved. ·
Prohibits discrimination based on race, color or
national origin in the administration of programs receiving federal funds. Practices that are prohibited under the laws include the
following: Agencies may not: ·
Use race, color or national origin to differentiate
between otherwise acceptable foster or adoptive placements. ·
Honor the request of a birth parent to place a child with
a family of a specific race, color or national origin. ·
Require a family to prepare a transracial
adoption or foster care plan. ·
Require any additional or special assessment of a
prospective family who expresses an interest in becoming a foster or adoptive
caregiver for a child of a particular race, color or national origin. ·
Use “culture” or “ethnicity” as a proxy for race,
color or national origin. ·
Delay or deny a placement using geographical location
as a proxy for race. ·
Require extra training for parents who wish to adopt
or foster transracially. ·
Rely on general assumptions about the needs of
children of a particular race, color or national origin. ·
Rely upon general assumptions about the ability of
parents of a particular race, color or national origin to care for or nurture
the sense of identity of a child of another race, color or national origin. ·
“Steer” prospective parents away from parenting a
child of another race, color or national origin. ·
Retaliate against any individual or family who files a
complaint about a possible MEPA or Title VI violation. ·
Treat individuals differently on the
basis of race, color or national origin. Practices that are permitted under the laws: Agencies may: ·
Ask prospective foster and adoptive parents what race,
color or national origin of child they will accept. ·
Provide information and resources about adopting or
fostering a child of another race, color or national origin to prospective
adoptive and foster parents who request such information and make it known to
all families that such information and resources are available. ·
Consider the request of a birth parent to place the
child with an identified relative or nonrelative. ·
Discuss the special cultural and physical needs of
children of different races, colors and national origins as part of the training which is required of all parents who seek to
become adoptive or foster parents. As a consumer, you
have the right to make a complaint if you feel there has been a violation of
these laws. You have the right to make your complaint to any one or more of
the agencies or persons listed below. If you feel that your rights have been
violated, please contact any of the following entities: HCJFS Plan Monitor Michelle
Riske-Morris, Ph.D., J.D. Justice Research
& Advocacy, Inc. (440) 213-7391 Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services MEPA Monitor (513) 946-1488 Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Office of the Chief Inspector Bureau of Civil Rights (614) 995-9956 Toll free 1-866-227-6353 U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Chief Counsel, Region V Office for Civil Rights Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 353-1640 If
your complaint is related to MEPA (you believe you have been denied a foster
or adoptive placement or approval as a foster or adoptive parent based on the
race, color or national origin of yourself or the child), see the MEPA
Complaint Procedure (HCJFS 3291) for information on how to file a formal MEPA
complaint with the Bureau of Civil Rights of the Ohio Department of Job and
Family Services. Revised |