This Black History Month, Sacramento County’s Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (DCFAS) is highlighting its commitment to equity and supporting minority families. The department understands the systemic challenges that disproportionately impact the Black community. All Sacramento County residents deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
One of the primary focuses of DCFAS is to ensure children and families are safe, healthy, and connected to their communities, this includes acknowledging the disparities that face the Black community and actively working with community partners to implement change. Through programs such as the Safe Sleep Baby Education initiative, DCFAS strives to provide essential resources and education to educate parents and guardians, so every child has a safe and healthy start in life. The program addresses the alarming rates of infant mortality within African American communities and provides parent resources to help their babies sleep safely.
DCFAS also collaborates with community incubators through the Black Child Legacy Campaign. These community incubators provide intervention efforts to specifically meet the needs of their communities. Through these resources, DCFAS works alongside community partners to provide intervention efforts that provide meaningful change in the lives of African American children. These efforts cannot be highlighted without addressing issues of inequality. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, African American children in the United States are oftentimes about twice as likely to die in infancy when compared to white children. Sadly, this is also a statistic mirrored in Sacramento County. That is why DCFAS focuses not only on addressing the challenges Black families face but also works toward solutions that promote long-term well-being.
As Sacramento County commemorates Black History Month, DCFAS renews its commitment to fostering inclusivity, equity, and justice. By educating and empowering families, DCFAS hopes to create a better community for everyone.
