Find resources on foster care and out-of-home care relating to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
American Indian Child Welfare: Crossing the Financial and Cultural Divide (PDF - 1,321 KB)
Casey Family Services (2009)
Voice Magazine, 9(3)
Discusses the financial challenges faced by Tribal communities that prevent the support of foster care within their community, and cultural barriers faced by Indian children who are placed in the State foster care system.
Development and Implementation of Tribal Foster Care Standards (PDF - 359 KB)
National Indian Child Welfare Association (2000)
Suggests a process through which Tribal communities can develop appropriate foster care standards.
DHS Foster Care Recruitment [Video]
Denver Human Services (2013)
Discusses the number of Native American children in foster care in Denver County, Colorado and the importance of keeping these children connected to their culture.
Factors Predicting Placement of Urban American Indian/Alaskan Natives Into Out-of-Home Care
Carter (2010)
Children and Youth Services Review, 32(5)
View Abstract
Presents results of a study that examined factors that predicted out-of-home care placement for a national sample of urban American Indian and Alaska Native and White children.
Foster Care: HHS Needs to Improve the Consistency and Timeliness of Assistance to Tribes
U.S. Government Accountability Office (2015)
Examines obstacles facing Native American Tribes interested in directly operating a title IV-E program, assistance the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has provided, and recommendations offered to HHS by the Government Accountability Office.
The Indian Child Welfare Act for Kin Caregivers and Foster Parents (PDF - 245 KB)
Judicial Council of California (2017)
Explains the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), the rights of children and families covered under ICWA, and how foster or kinship caregivers can work with those families.
Literature & Resource Review Characteristics of Successful Foster, Adoptive and/or Kinship Caregivers of American Indian, Alaska Native, First Nations and Native Hawaiian (AIAN/FN/NH) Children and Suggested Training Themes for these Parents (PDF – 2,162 KB)
National Training & Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents (2018)
Identifies characteristics of a successful foster, adoptive, and/or kinship caregivers of AIAN/FN/NH youth as well as suggested training themes for these parents. The characteristics and suggested training themes, and their associated reference material, are outlined in this report.
Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP)
Children's Alliance
View Abstract
Highlights the Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence-Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) Native American Edition. Within the MAPP practice framework, child welfare staff, foster parents and adoptive parents work as a team to preserve or rebuild the family around the long-term welfare of the child. Also provides information on the Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP), a comprehensive program designed to extend the idea of building positive relationships and alliances beyond birth parents.
Recruiting Families for Native American Children: Strengthening Partnerships for Success (PDF - 115)
The National Resource Center for Diligent Recruitment at AdoptUSKids (2015)
Provides suggestions for child welfare systems to recruit families for Native American children in foster care. This tip sheet highlights the importance of effective recruitment strategies as a way to support efforts to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act and offers strategies for developing and strengthening partnerships with Tribes and Tribal child welfare systems.
Serving Native American Children in Foster Care (PDF - 168 KB)
Austin
The Connection (2009)
Discusses the prevalence of Native American children in foster care, provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act, and court-appointed special advocate (CASA) Tribal programs. This resource is intended for CASAs.
Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Findings
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Tribes
Outlines the need for funding foster care services, recruiting and training foster parents, and developing Tribal foster care programs. A table describing strengths of Tribal programs, based on information shared by Tribal foster and adoptive parents, is also provided.