California bill would provide support services to Native American families to reduce foster care

SACRAMENTO Calif AP Native American children and families in California could receive culturally appropriate patronage services aimed at preventing foster care placements under a bipartisan proposal passed the California Legislature last week Assembly Bill which was approved by the state s legislature last week would amend state law to let tribes and tribal organizations partner with the California Department of Social Services to provide services aimed at keeping children safely at home and out of foster care It is pending Gov Gavin Newsom s signature to become law Presently tribes and tribal organizations can access foster care adoption and guardianship services but greater part preventive services such as legal assistance and family counseling are only available through nontribal organizations that often lack the cultural competence to respect each tribe s practices and sovereignty AB would give tribes and tribal organizations the ability to receive direct services and funding without going through an intermediary Native American children in California are placed in foster care at about four times the rate of other children due to factors including poverty substance use disorders historical trauma systemic bias and bureaucratic hurdles that make it challenging for tribes to access preventive services according to the state s Legislative Analyst s Office When we invest in culturally appropriate services we strengthen families and avoid the trauma of separation commented Assemblymember Chris Rogers D-Santa Rosa who introduced the bill AB will ensure tribes can directly access the same prevention initiative funding that is available to counties and other organization providers This is critical step toward equity and better outcomes for tribal youth The bill was co-authored by several legislators including Bay Area Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry D-Winters and Patrick Ahrens D-Sunnyvale and Sen Josh Becker D-Menlo Park Services AB would give tribes better access to mental wellness care substance abuse medicine and parenting schooling The bill would also provide funding for legal representation for families and children ensuring appropriate counsel in court In addition tribes could access capacity-building assistance to establish preventive programs train social workers and receive technical assistance for figures collection and reporting Newsom has until Oct to sign AB into law This story was originally published by The Mendocino Voice and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press Source