State to look at number of black children in foster care

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A state task force will take a look this week at why the state's foster care system continues to have an overrepresentation of black children.

"You could talk to any black family in Minnesota, and they'd probably know a child who isn't with its family," said Rep. Neva Walker, DFL-Minneapolis.

In 1998, only 4 percent of Minnesota's children were black, but black children made up 22 percent of the children removed from their homes and sent to foster care, group homes or other placements, according to coalition leaders and a recent report.

More than half of the children removed from homes in Hennepin County the past decade have been black.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will discuss the problem Tuesday. Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville and the committee chairman, said the hearing is to draw attention to the issue and preview an upcoming report to the Legislature.

The foster care problem has existed in Minnesota for years.