The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs is partnering with the Pascua Yaqui tribe in southern Arizona this week to administer training for tribes working to strengthen their foster care programs. The session will focus on how tribal court systems handle child welfare cases.
The training is for tribes that want to apply for funding under a federal foster care program known as “Title IV E.” States already operate under the program but tribes didn’t win the ability to apply until 2008.
Mercedes Garcia, the Pascua Yaqui tribe’s deputy prosecutor, explained that to qualify, tribes must prove their codes and infrastructure meet federal foster care mandates. She said this week’s instruction will focus on evidence collection.
"So we’re teaching the social workers what kind of evidence is necessary to gather to remove a child out of home," she said. "And we’re teaching attorneys how to present that evidence. And while we’re doing both of those things, ensure that we’re protecting the parents due process rights."
Garcia added the extra funding that comes with Title IV E would help tribes offer more support to their foster families.
Twelve tribes will be represented at this week’s training. The BIA plans to hold four more sessions by the end of the year.
