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Learning How to Better Serve African American Children and Families

August 1, 2025

The National African American Child and Family Research Center (NAACFRC) at Morehouse School of Medicine leads community-engaged research to better serve African American families in programs like Head Start, which has a 30% Black or African American service population. Dr. Azaliah Israel, co-lead for dissemination and communication, explains that the Center aims to change narratives about Black families by conducting research that acknowledges their unique experiences and existing social inequalities rather than using white Americans as the standard. NAACFRC partners directly with parents, teachers, and administrators to understand the needs of African American children and families, with special focus on those in rural areas, families involved with the criminal justice system, and those with health or disability issues.

Who is affected

  • African American children and families served by the Administration for Children and Families, including those in Head Start programs
  • Head Start programs, whose service population is 30% Black or African American
  • African American families in rural areas
  • African American families with members involved in the criminal justice system
  • African American families with health/disability issues
  • African Americans in the child care and early education workforce

What action is being taken

  • The NAACFRC is conducting community-engaged research focusing on African American families
  • The Center is partnering with parents, teachers, and administrators to better understand the needs of African American children and families
  • NAACFRC is researching the experiences of African Americans in the child care and early education workforce
  • The Center is working to change cultural and institutional narratives about African American families through research that considers their unique experiences

Why it matters

  • Historical research on African American families has typically used white Americans as the standard, ignoring important historical and cultural context
  • Previous research has been largely conducted by individuals outside the African American community with minimal community input
  • Negative narratives like "deadbeat fathers" and "welfare queens" have influenced how service providers interact with Black families
  • By changing the research approach and elevating Black families' voices, societal perceptions can be changed
  • This work helps improve the provision of services to African American children and families

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Learning How to Better Serve African American Children and Families