Child and foster care within the community are legally complicated issues. The legal system, in regards to Native children, is messy and convoluted as children with Indian heritage are subject to special tribal laws which differ greatly from federal and state laws. For more information, please refer to the links below.
Partners in Development Foundation
Partners in Development Foundation empowers families to navigate social challenges and to grow self-resiliency, vibrancy, and healthy, secure communities in Hawaiʻi. They serve the needs of young keiki, their caregivers, and economically vulnerable youth and families in the Hawaiian community to overcome systematic disparities and historical trauma. Project Pilina seeks to build relationships with island communities by raising awareness about foster care and connecting with resource caregiver applicants.
Effective Planning and Innovative Communication, Inc. (EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc.)
Families are the foundation of our community, and their well-being is inextricably linked to the health and prosperity of the community, state, and nation. EPIC works to strengthen ‘ohana and enhance the welfare of children and youth through transformative processes that are respectful, collaborative and solution-oriented. EPIC ‘Ohana is firmly committed to empowerment, effective planning, and innovative communication. Effective Planning and Innovative Communication (EPIC), Inc. is a neutral, non-profit 501 (c) 3 Hawai‘i corporation devoted to family conferencing, facilitation, training and program development.
National Public Radio (NPR)
Several articles discuss problems with the Native American foster care system and the tense relationship between government and tribal authorities.
http://www.npr.org/series/141763531/native-foster-care-lost-children-shattered-families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Child Welfare
This link offers a variety of documents which detail the current state of foster care for Native American children and the concerns that surround it.
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/diverse-populations/americanindian
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Administration for Children & Families (ACF)
The ACF provides over $600 million annually to child and family services within the Native American community. This link offers resources and a description of ACF.
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/tribal-affairs
Benefits.gov – Indian Child Welfare Act Programs
This resource works to increase citizen access to benefit information and help people more easily interact with the government.
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/795
Adopt US Kids
This organization provides tools and resources to help child care programs connect children in foster care with possible families. They also offer advice, links, and resources in regards to adopting Native children and what needs to be taken into consideration.
Tribes and States Working Together: A Guide to Tribal-State Child Care Coordination
This link explains the government-sanctioned Child Care and Development Fund and how U.S. government agencies work with tribal governments to ensure all parties are held responsible for child care and proper distribution of government funds.
National Indian Child Care Association
This association works to provide child care support and funds to tribes across the country.
Accept our apologies if your program/organization/website was not included. We would like to hear from you and please contact us. Thank you.
