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Native American Child Protection Act
12/15/2023, 4:08 PM
Summary of Bill S 2273
One of the key provisions of the bill is the requirement for child welfare agencies to prioritize placements with Native American families or within Native American communities whenever possible. This is in line with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), which aims to preserve Native American families and culture by keeping Native American children within their communities whenever possible.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions for increased funding and resources for Native American child welfare agencies, as well as requirements for cultural competency training for child welfare workers who are involved in cases involving Native American children. This is intended to ensure that these children receive culturally appropriate care and support while in the child welfare system. Overall, the Native American Child Protection Act aims to address the unique challenges faced by Native American children in the child welfare system and to ensure that their rights and cultural heritage are protected. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is currently being considered for passage.
Congressional Summary of S 2273
Native American Child Protection Act
This bill revises certain programs related to the prevention, investigation, treatment, and prosecution of family violence, child abuse, and child neglect involving Indian children and families.
Specifically, the bill revises the Indian Child Abuse Treatment Grant Program to encourage the use of grants for culturally appropriate treatment services and programs.
The bill renames the Indian Child Resource and Family Services Centers as the National Indian Child Resource and Family Services Center. It also requires the center to (1) provide advice, technical assistance, and training to urban Indian organizations; (2) develop certain technical assistance materials for Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations; and (3) develop model intergovernmental agreements between tribes and states to prevent, investigate, treat, and prosecute incidents of family violence, child abuse, and child neglect involving Indian children and families.
Additionally, the bill revises the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Program to allow Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and intertribal consortia to use program funds for additional activities, such as operational costs for child protective services.
