Multisystem, crossover, or dual system-involved youth—including those in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems—are more likely to have increased educational, health (physical, mental, sexual), social, legal, and economic challenges than their non-system involved counterparts. The U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) note the presence of overrepresentation of racially and ethnically minoritized youth in multiple systems. Despite efforts to address disproportionality and overrepresentation in both systems, disparities persist. While individual and environmental resilience exists, structural racism, structural and systemic barriers, and bias serve to further compromise system-involved children and families. Although racial and ethnic disparity and disproportionate minority contact policies have been legislated in both systems, challenges remain associated with the aforementioned macro-level factors and the overall well-being of the population. Efforts for multisystem collaboration via systems of care reflect possible pathways to decrease the adverse outcomes many Black and Latinx families may face. To do this, practitioners need to recognize the influence of the numerous racialized and structural factors that contribute to prolonged system involvement. This chapter includes a current overview of background literature with key definitions and terms, as well as sociocultural context and perspectives about system involvement. The chapter concludes with perspectives from the field to guide readers in their work with system-involved youth and their families.
