Foster Care shortage for Native populations

by David Boyle
News Director
While there is a shortage of foster parents nationwide, Utah Foster Care Native American Specialist Stephanie Benally says that the shortage is particularly pronounced in tribal communities.
In an August 4 interview with Red Rock 92.7 FM, Benally said preserving cultural identities and maintaining family connections is a benefit to children’s overall well-being.
“It’s making sure that they have those cultural connections, examples like celebrating the child’s milestones. For example, if an infant laughs for the first time, celebrating those first laugh ceremonies and just any other milestones that a child might have while they’re in foster care. Making sure those connections remain to their culture, and to their tribe.”
San Juan County has three Native American foster homes for about 30 kids in foster care.
“There is a great need and when our kids don’t go into the native homes, they’re placed out of the community where they lose that cultural connection,” said Benally.
“So that’s why it’s important that we have more native foster parents for our kids so they can maintain that cultural connection for their well-being.”
Benally adds that the Division of Child Family Services always tries to place children within the county if possible 
“We’re looking for more families in the county so we can have our native children stay within the community.”
Benally explains anytime a child comes into foster care their number one goal is reunification with the family. However under the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) there are placement preferences for indigenous children with the first priority being placed with family.
If that’s not available a licensed foster parent from the same tribe is the next priority, followed by someone from a different tribe and then any licensed foster family.
Benally works with Native American foster parents across the state. They tell her they participate to provide a safe space for children in their care, and make sure children maintain cultural connections by respecting beliefs and cultures.
Benally mentioned a Salt Lake City woman from the Cherokee tribe who has fostered children from different tribes over the years and is fostering Navajo children right now helping them maintain cultural traditions.
“That happens a lot when our native children are placed, whether it’s in a native home from the same tribe or with a different tribe and they want to make sure that you know and they see the difference too when the child comes into their home and they thrive versus when they were in a home prior to being placed with them.”
Benally adds they have seen Indigenous foster parents who foster for a long time, those whose goals change and end licenses after adoption, and others who simply want to help children be safe and thrive until they can be reunited with family.
Despite challenges, Benally knows first hand being a foster parent can be rewarding.
“The kids that we’re caring for are thriving. They’re learning Navajo. They’re learning the traditions, what we can’t do, what we can do, what we can look at, and they’re growing and waiting to be reunited with family.
“In the meantime you can see those milestones and see the growth in them and make sure that they maintain that cultural connection too. It’s wonderful.” 
Benally said the first step to becoming a foster parent is to request an initial consultation by calling a local office, or the website to set up an informal meeting to answer questions.
After that is an application and pre-service training available in person or online depending on the region.
An applicant would then be contacted by the office of licensing to come into the home to see if everything is compliant. Upon completion, a family would be eligible to be licensed for a year and maintain the license year by year.
A foster parent can be single, but if you’re living with someone you need to be legally married. Additionally applicants need to go through a background check and be financially stable. Benally clarifies there is no income requirement.
“It’s just maintaining your current household and the kids that are coming into your care. The person cannot be on any state assistance like WIC. Also the person needs to be healthy enough to care for the child that comes into your care. Your medical provider can fill out a form indicating that you’re healthy enough to take care of kids that are in your care.”
Homes can either be rented or owned, each child needs to have 40 square feet per room. Two children can be in a room but it would need to be 80 square feet.
Applicants also cannot be licensed as a daycare provider while being a licensed foster care provider
Benally adds they don’t just give a training, and wish new foster parents luck.
“We also provide ongoing support. So once the person becomes licensed, we provide trainings. We provide resources. For example, if a child in their care needs an outfit for a school dance, the person can request through our wishing well fund to help purchase an outfit. So we have a lot of resources and support. We have cluster groups which are foster parents that support each other. I feel like the foster community is very supportive of one another.”
There are additional support services for Native American children in foster care through the Cedar Project.
“If a child needs a regalia or some cultural resources, we are able to access that for them through the Cedar Project project. So there’s a lot of support once a person becomes a foster parent and also a lot of support for all the native children that are in care, too.”
Stephanie Benally can be reached through UtahFosterCare.org