TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
New Law Can Affect Tribal Children
The ICW Program would like to let
families know that a federal law, the
Adoption and Safe Families Act of
1997 (P.L. 105.89), has now been in
effect for about a year. The community
should be aware that this law is outside
of the tribe’s control and that it will have
a significant impact on tribal children
and families.
Congress’ goal in passing this law
was to promote permanency for
children and/or adoptions for children
who are in the foster care system.
Congress clearly intended to limit the
time children are in out-of-home care.
shelter care hearing. This means
that if the parents don’t make
significant progress in a child
welfare case during the first year,
the agency involved must follow
through with a permanency plan to
close the case. This could mean
termination of parental rights and/
or adoption. In some cases,
guardianships are acceptable.
Other provisions within these laws
include developing a permanency
Three scholarships are available
plan for all cases within 60 days of
• through the Siletz Tribe:
a child entering care. Placement
with a relative is promoted if there
Arthur Bensell Memorial
are no convictions for domestic
Scholarship: specifically for students
violence, assault, child abuse,
enrolled in a program leading to a
alcohol or drug abuse, and several
degree in education
other crimes within the last five
Siletz Scholarship: specifically for
years. Numerous other crimes are
। students enrolled in a program leading
listed that ICW must screen for as
। to a degree in a medical field
well, and fingerprinting of all care
CTSI - Pepsi Scholarship: open
providers is required.
। to all students regardless of major
Also written into the law is a
provision for termination of parental
rights. In cases where parents have
had parental rights terminated for
other children or previously seriously
abused a child, the new case may
be terminated within 30 days
of opening.
The time limits for a child to be in
out-of-home care is 12 months and
this clock starts from the date of the
¡" Time to Apply
। for Scholarships
Any program that has accepted Title
IV-B or IV-E funding is required to
follow these mandatory laws. CTSI has
accepted IV-B funds since 1996.
TRIBAL COURT CASES
Person 2
The programs manager and Siletz
| Tribal Education Committee administer
| the scholarships. Applications are
| available annually in April. Application
I for all financial aid is required of
I students. Tribal students are expected
I to apply for these scholarships.
Scholarships range from $500 to
• $1,000 for one academic year.
Scholarship recipients are
' announced in July and awarded at the
annual Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow in
August of each year. All three
scholarships require the following:
/
। /
|/
Relative/Tribal Care
* YES or NO
Date Entered System.
| /
12-18 months
to permanency
Number of Children involved:
□ Tribal
□ Relative
□ Group
12
5
6
3
7
I
The Education Committee selects
I scholarship recipients on a competitive
I basis. Factors considered during the
I evaluation process include:
4
8
PRESENTING ISSUES:
18-22 months
closed
Time Line for Tribal Cases
Kids Corne
Imo custody
5diBS
ER Shelter
Hearing
□
•
Siletz
News
-
i't1 ; •
■ -,
Child Abuse
Criminal Issues
Prior TRP of child
Domestic Violence
ASFA Crime
------------- ►30 days ------------ ► 60 days --------------- ► 6 months
Ward of the
Court OR
Case
Dismissed
Start 12
month
Clock
8 I
□
□
□
□
□
June 2001
Service Plan
&
Permanency
Plan
Established
Completed application form
Documentation of acceptance at an
accredited vocational training or
higher education institution, two-
year, four-year, or graduate school
500- to 1,000-word essay on a
specific annual theme
Three letters of recommendation
□ Mental Health
□ A&D
□ Housing
□ Parents Deceased
□ ASFA Gross Conduct
12 months
Review
Permanency
> Applicant’s academic achievements
> Quality of applicant’s essay
> Strength of letters of recommendation
18 months------------- ► 22 months
Permanency
Hearing
V
TPR or
Guardianship
CASE
CLOSED
Note: Applications must be received
in our office by 4:30 p.m. on
। June 29, 2001.
Incomplete applications will not be
considered. If you have questions,
please call 1-800-922-1399, ext. 290,
or 541-444-8290 and ask for
। Bev Youngman.__________________