[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12188]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 INTRODUCTION OF THE INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION

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                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2001

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to be joined by 
Representatives Hayworth, Kildee and Bonior to introduce legislation to 
correct an inequity in the laws affecting many Native American 
children. This effort is also supported by the National Indian Child 
Welfare Association, American Public Human Services Association, and 
National Congress of American Indians.
  Every year, for a variety of often tragic reasons, thousands of 
children across the country are placed in foster care. To assist with 
the cost of food, shelter, clothing, daily supervision and school 
supplies, foster parents of children who have come to their homes 
through state court placement receive money through Title IV-E of the 
Social Security Act. Additionally, states receive funding for 
administrative training and data collection to support this program. 
Unfortunately, because of a legislative oversight, many Native American 
children who are placed in foster care by tribal courts do not receive 
foster care and adoptive services to which all other income-eligible 
children are entitled.
  Not only are otherwise eligible Native children denied foster care 
maintenance payments, but this inequity also extends to children who 
are adopted through tribal placements. Currently, the IV-E program 
offers limited assistance for expenses associated with adoption and the 
training of professional staff and parents involved in the adoption. 
These circumstances, sadly, have meant that many Indian children 
receive little Federal support in attaining the permanency they need 
and deserve.
  In many instances, these children face insurmountable odds. Many come 
from abusive homes. Foster parents who open their doors to care for 
these special children deserve our help. These generous people who take 
these children into their homes should not have sleepless nights 
worrying about whether they have the resources to provide nounishing 
food or a warm coat, or even adequate shelter for these children. This 
legislation will go a long way to ease their concerns.
  Currently, some tribes and states have entered into IV-E agreements, 
but these arrangements are the exception. They also, by and large, do 
not include funds to train tribal social workers and foster and 
adoptive parents. This bill would make it clear that tribes would be 
treated like States when they run their own programs under the IV-E 
program. The bill would make funding fair and equitable for all 
children, Native and non-Native.
  This companion legislation to S. 550 would do the following: extend 
the Title IV-E entitlement programs to tribal placements in foster and 
adoptive homes; authorize tribal governments to receive direct funding 
from the Department of Health and Human Services for administration of 
IV-E programs (tribes must have HHS-approved programs); allow the 
Secretary flexibility to modify the requirements of the IV-E law for 
tribes if those requirements are not in the best interest of Native 
children; and allow continuation of tribal-State IV-E agreements.
  In a 1994 report, HHS found that the best way to serve this 
underfunded group is to provide direct assistance to tribal governments 
and qualified tribal families. I want to emphasize that this bill would 
not result in reduced funding for the States, as they would continue to 
be reimbursed for their expenses under the law. I strongly believe 
Congress should address this oversight and provide equitable benefits 
to Native American children who are under the jurisdiction of their 
tribal governments, and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting 
this bipartisan and bicameral proposal.

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