With Liberty & Justice for All? How “The System” Fails Youth and Families

Catalog description

Systems of care in America, including education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and refugee asylum, were created to meet the needs of youth but often fail to achieve their goals and sometimes worsen the very problems they aim to remediate. This course examines why our systems too often fail, focusing on racism, classism, ableism, and other systemic inequities. Students will learn how these systems were designed, their impact on youth, families, and staff, and how trauma, underfunding, and structural barriers hinder effective care. We will also explore reform efforts and provide frameworks for evaluating their potential and actual impact. This is an exciting course for anyone considering a career in mental health, working with children, policy/law, or sociology,