Racism as a vehicle for the overrepresentation of Black youth in child protection services in Ontario, Canada: Caseworkers’ and community facilitators’ perspectives

•Racism can lead to the overrepresentation of Black youth in child welfare.•Caseworkers and community facilitators have unique views on the overrepresentation.•Social-ecological and critical race theories help explain racism in child welfare.•Systemic, institutional, and interpersonal racism affect the overrepresentation.•Anti-Black racism is complex and contributes to the overrepresentation.