Your Support Needed for S. 1956, the Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Access Act of 2007
On August 2, 2007, the Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Access Act of 2007 (S. 1956) was introduced in the Senate by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), and co-sponsored by Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), John McCain (R-NM), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Carl Levin (D-MI).
Background
“This legislation may indeed be one of this year’s most important actions on behalf of this country’s Indigenous peoples.” - Terry Cross, executive director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA)
Nearly 10,000 American Indian/Alaska Native children are in the nation’s foster care system today, at a rate that is disproportionately higher than non-Indian children. Despite these numbers and tribal responsibility and authority to care for their children, the federal government’s largest source of support for children in the foster care system is not available to Indian children and the tribal governments that care for them.
The Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Access Act of 2007 (detailed description of S. 1956 PDF) would for the first time allow tribes, tribal organizations, or tribal consortia to apply directly to the federal government to receive Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance funding. It would also allow tribes to continue agreements they developed with their state or develop new ones that would provide additional incentives for both tribes and state.
Tribes that choose to receive direct federal funding would benefit from additional flexibilities that would take into account the unique nature of tribal government and their potential sources of matching funds. Tribes would also be able to ask the Secretary of Health and Human Services for modifications of existing program requirements to help ensure that tribal children receive care that is culturally responsive, while maintaining their best interests and safety.
You Can Help - Fax a Letter of Support of Call Today!
Please fax your letter of support for the Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Access Act of 2007 to Senator Baucus’s Finance Committee office today. A sample letter is also available that you can customize with your personalized information. Regular mail is not encouraged, due to anti-terrorism screening procedures that delay mail delivery to members of congress. The staff and board of NICWA thank you for your support at this critical time.
Address your letter to:
Committee On Finance
219 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-6200
Fax: (202) 228-0554
Telephone: (202) 224-4515
The letter should contain:
- Your name
- Your city/state of residence
- Your statement of support for the Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Access Act of 2007.
You might mention if you are employed in the field of child welfare or if you have a personal connection to tribal foster care systems (case manager, adult adoptee, or foster parent).
Message
“I am calling/writing today to voice my support for the Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Access Act of 2007. This would put tribes on equal footing with states to administrate their own programs and serve the children and families in their communities.” (Add your personal perspective on the human cost of inequitable funding of Indian child welfare. Please personalize your letters and add details important to you.)
Sample Letters
- Supporting S. 1956 (Microsoft Word)
- Requesting introduction of a companion bill in the House (Microsoft Word)