American Indian Report - July 2008 - (Page 28)

FED ER A L G OV ER N M EN T Fostering Connections to Success Act Passed in House By Michelle Tirado On June 24, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed under suspension H.R. 6307, the “Fostering Connections to Success Act,” legislation that makes major strides in improving the lives and outcomes of foster care children, including those who are Native American. Key provisions include extending federal foster care payments up to 21 years old, instead of 18; providing federal support to relatives, like grandparents, who care for foster children; and improving oversight of the health and education needs of foster children. The legislation would also authorize tribal governments to apply to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to directly administer the Social Security Act’s Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance programs, starting in FY 2011. U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., who introduced the bill on June 19 with U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller, R-Morris, said on the House floor on June 24, “The bill gives tribes equal and fair access to federal resources dedicated to keeping vulnerable children safe.” Further, the legislation would authorize tribal-state agreements to administer these programs. Weller said from the House floor, “Our first Americans should be treated as full Americans, including in child welfare programs, as this legislation will accomplish. We hope this provision will translate into better care and better outcomes for young people in tribal areas, which I understand number almost 3,000 children in foster care on tribal lands. Clearly, the current system is not working for our first Americans — we want to right that wrong.” In a press release issued on June 25, the National Indian Child Welfare Association said that it wanted to thank everyone who made efforts to secure passage of the legislation. “This effort reminds us that when we work together, good things can happen,” NICWA said. The bill goes on to the Senate for consideration. It will likely go to the Senate Finance Committee, which is currently working on its own child welfare bill. n 28 July 2008 American Indian Report http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-6307 http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/index.shtml http://weller.house.gov/ http://weller.house.gov/

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of American Indian Report - July 2008

American Indian Report - July 2008 Contents Wolf Research; Native Language Scrabble; Indian Baseball History; Art; NEA Award Ethics & Standards of Conduct: Dual Roles - A Balancing Act Congress: Activity on the Hill Knowing Your Customer Grants: Tribal Transit Program - Putting Public Transportation in Rural Tribal Communities Indian Country Struggles with Skyrocketing Gas Prices Isolated Village Tackles Unique Environmental Issues CSKT and Wildlife Service Sign Bison Range Agreement Fostering Connections to Success Act Passed in House Tribal Government: Strategic Planning - A Shorter Assessment Process

American Indian Report - July 2008

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