Native American

The Crisis Facing Native American Youth
Native American youth are facing a crisis. Removed from their homes and placed into the child welfare system at rates much higher than any other population served by Children's Administration, they also remain in out of home care significantly longer. Add to this the fact that these children are often placed in homes outside of their families, tribes and Indian culture and all this contributes to significant social problems.

To read more on the plight facing Native American youth, please Click Here.

The Reality of Racial Disproportionality
Racial Disproportionality which is defined as over or under representation of certain groups (e.g. racial/ethnic, gender, age) relative to the groups proportion in the general population. Reports conducted in 2008 showed that Indian children were:

• 3 times as likely to be referred to CPS
• 1.6 times as likely to be removed from their biological home.
• Twice as likely to remain in foster care for over 2 years.
• Less likely to be adopted and More likely to be in guardianships
• Less likely to be reunified with their biological parents.

The sad reality is that there are not enough culturally appropriate homes for these children which has necessitated the placement of Native American children into homes that do not share their cultural heritage or traditions. While Children's Administration and tribal leaders are commited to recruiting more culturally appropriate homes for these children, they also understand that partnering with non-native homes is necessary to meet the overwhelming need for homes. For those who are interested in providing care to Native American youth, there are many cultural resources and trainings available to help you support the cultural needs of your native child. 

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Native American Resources to Inspire and Educate
Below are some websites/articles to help you understand the historical trauma faced by Native Americans and why we need culturally appropriate foster homes for the children.

White Bison Wellbriety Training Institute: A sustainable grassroots Wellbriety Movement that provides culturally based healing to the next seven generations of Indigenous people.

CWLA (Child Welfare League of America) Article highlighting the plight of Native American Foster Youth.

Historical Trauma Website: Information on the impact of historical trauma on the Native American Community.

All My Relations Video, a film about the importance of cultural connections for Native American children. (44 min).

Nak Nu We Sha Program, Yakama Nation. Reflects on the importance of foster homes within the Native community. (9 min)

An Introduction to Indian Child Welfare Services. Information on Indian Child Welfare Services in Washington State.

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Map of Federally Recognized Tribes of Washington State 

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Private Licensing Agencies who specialize in Native American Families and Youth

Snoqualmie Tribe's KIYA? is dedicated to ensuring that all Native children are raised in a loving environment that nurtures their culture. They focus on licensing Snoqualmie tribal families, but will also license other Native families or those who want to care for a specific Native child. For more information contact Kim O'Hagan at (425) 281-3793 or kim@snoqualmienation.com. 

It is the mission of Lummi Children Services to provide a continuum of culturally relevant support services to children and families of the Lummi Nation in the area of foster care, alternative parental care, and intervention/prevention. For more information call (360) 384-2324.

Muckleshoot Child and Family Services is committed to empowering families to maintain a safe and nurturing environment for their children and offers preventative in home support services to stabilize families, alternative out of home placement, Foster Parent Licensing and assitance to relative caregivers.

United Indians of All Tribes' services assist future foster parents navigate their way through the process by guiding you through the necessary trainings, paperwork, and provide you with ongoing support. For more information, contact Lynnette Jordan, ICW Manager at ljordan@unitedindians.org.

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