Roots of Change provides access and cultural relevant hair care education and services to Colorado’s Foster Kids

Children of Color have been overrepresented in the foster care system for decades. Usually these kids are placed outside of their neighborhoods and away from family, losing valuable access to hair care resources. When children of color are placed in homes outside their communities, neighborhoods, or racial groups, they are at risk of losing vital cultural connections and resources that shape their development and well-being for years to come.

Adequate, understood, accessible, and culturally appropriate personal hygiene is critical for every child’s health and well-being. This is basic right that all children are entitled to—no matter race or place. Unsightly hair (and skin) further sidelines children of color who have been separated from their familial and cultural groups, and can leave them feeling unattractive, ostracized, or ashamed. For children who are already emotionally vulnerable, messages such as these threaten their social and psychological well-being. When children and their caregivers lack the resources and “know how” to properly maintain the child’s appearance, having “good hair” can seem all but unattainable, thus contributing to a damaged sense of self-esteem and possible mental health issues such as depression.

These children have already faced tough situations, and entering the foster care system can be traumatic. But when a child is placed in a culturally different setting, it is even more challenging. They aren’t just removed from their homes but removed from their schools, community, place of worship, etc. “We all like to think we’re color blind, but the reality is unless you’ve walked in the shoes of someone who has faced discrimination or not fitting in, you really don’t understand the challenge it is for a child who has been uprooted and placed in a strange setting,” said Brian Brinkerhoff, Executive Director for Child Advocates-Denver CASA.

In Colorado, African American children are over represented in the state’s foster care system. Statewide, 5% percent of the child population is African American, but 12% percent of the children removed from their homes are African American. There is no evidence that African Americans abuse or neglect their children at higher rates than families of other race and ethnicity.

Roots of Change targets but is not limited to African American children in foster/adoptive or kinship placement as there is a significant need to understand that basic haircare is a fundamental right for these kids and not a privilege. When a child is placed outside of their community and/or family of origin they need to have the tools available to preserve their cultural heritage; this includes hair products that prevent them from being at risk of being ostracized and/or unhealthy. “Our goal is to provide access, resources, services and education to children and families in cross-cultural placements in order to maintain the cultural integrity of the children in care,” said Donna Parrish, Assistant Professor and the Associate Director for Diversity and Inclusion of The Kempe Center.

This is the fourth event that Mykal Grant Salon will graciously donate their time and talents to for the Roots of Change event on Sunday, February 22nd. This special event is sponsored by The Kempe Center & Mykal Grant Salon along with partnership from Child Advocates-Denver CASA, Denver Human Services, Montbello Barbers, Families Forward Resource Center, Kymora Jaxson Photography, Colorado Department of Human Services, Adams County Human Services and the Denver School of Science and Technology – Green Valley Ranch Campus.

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