This story details the disproportionate representation and negative outcomes for Black children in the foster care system. Black children, who make up about 14% of the child population, represent 22% to 23% of children in foster care and are removed from their homes at excessively high rates. This disparity is driven by the intersection of poverty, where Black families are more often labeled neglectful, and institutional bias, resulting in higher reporting and investigation rates by schools, hospitals, and law enforcement. Research shows that Black children are more likely to be removed even when compared to children at similar risk levels. The Blind Removal Pilot Program is an initiative implemented by Los Angeles County and UCLA that attempts to address bias by redacting identifying information such as race, ethnicity, and location from case fi ...