Report: Too many Native children in foster care

Tuesday, November 20, 2007  

American Indian and Alaskan Native children are overrepresented in the foster care system, according to a report released on Monday.

"Time for Reform: A Matter of Justice for American Indian and Alaskan Native Children" is a joint report from the National Indian Child Welfare Association and the Kids Are Waiting campaign of The Pew Charitable Trusts. It examined child welfare data across the nation.

According to the report, Native children are overrepresented in the foster care system at more than 1.6 times the expected level. Native children are more likely to be considered victims of neglect than any other racial or ethnic group.

In Alaska, Native children are 51 percent of foster care cases but only 20 percent of the child population. In Montana, Native children are 33 percent of foster care cases but only 10 percent of the child population.

The report calls on Congress to authorize tribes to receive funding under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, an entitlement program that reimburses states for a portion of foster care costs. States receive billions of dollars under the program.

Get the Story:
American Indians overrepresented (The Salt Lake Tribune 11/20)

Relevant Documents:
Report | Press Release

Relevant Links:
National Indian Child Welfare Association - http://www.nicwa.org

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