The commission proposal would include presidential and congressional appointees, experts on American Indian child issues and tribal leadership. It will have a chance to push hard toward more funding and more effective solutions that will invest in the lives of Indian children.

The commission’s goal is to develop a report that identifies and provides actionable next steps for how federal, state and tribal governments can more effectively use resources, increase coordination and build partnerships to focus on the well being of American Indian children.

We need better data and better tools to know what works and how to most effectively create programs that will positively impact the lives of children in Indian Country. As a former policymaker, I foresee that this proposed commission will push us forward in these areas.