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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (July 2, 1982)
PAG E2JULY2, 1982 SPILYAY TYMOO Foster children in need of homes by Marsha Shewczyk Since the Tribe began its own foster care program the number of children in off- reservation foster homes has decreased from 220 in 1973, to only 5 in 1982. Children are no longer sent away to caring homes. There are homes in the comtnunity that care. But there are never enough homes for children needing jf o s te r care. C hildren are continuously being assigned to foster homes through the court. If there is no foster home available on the reservation the children must stay at the Vern Jackson Home or the Group Home, depending on their age. A child is assigned to a foster home only where there is no alternative. Counseling fails to alleviate the problems in the child's home. There is still d rin k in g or ab u se o r drinking or abuse or behavioral problems. In those cases, counselors feel the child cannot return to such an environment. A child’s own home as a residence is the first choice made by foster care workers for any child placed in their c u sto d y . But if th a t is infeasible, the next choice is the home of an extended family member. These homes are again not always available or those homes that are available may not meet the needs of the child in the opinion of the case worker. The final solution fo r placement of a child into a foster home would be to place him or her in a community member’s home where the child is welcome and can feel at home. It is u n fo rtu n ate th a t children even have to be placed in foster homes, but if it allows the child to grow up in a more stable environment where he can learn self-respect and respect for others, then it is necessary. It is essential for the well-being of that child. T hese peo p le w ould be “excellent resources for foster care,” he feels. There are both younger and older children who need homes. It is much easier to find homes for the younger children according to Cochran but the need is great for all ages. Currently five children are waiting to be placed in foster residences. They age from five years to ten years of age. The amount of time to be spent at a foster home is determined by the court for each case. A m o n etary compensation is paid to the foster parent to help meet expenses of an additional member of the household. T r ib a l fu n d s a re u se d exclusively in the foster care program. Children in the foster care program are introduced to would-be foster parents. They visit them in their homes and visits are gradually extended until the child moves home with the parents. Visitation from the child’s Director o f youth services Dale Cochran and his assistant Lola Sohappy encourage community own p arents is allowed. members to take foster children into their homes. Cochran emphasizes, “We Spilyay Tymoo photo by Shewczyk don’t give up on the parents.” There is a continual effort to care program in an effort to w ould be in te r e s te d in L ola S o h ap p y and case reunite the family. If after keep their children in Warm participating in the foster care workers are Arlene Boileau and many years this cannot be Springs, the individual tribal program, providing homes for Carol Muniz. The number is accomplished then the foster m e m b e rs a r e o f g r e a t these children, are encouraged 553-1487. G ood homes -will give child may become a permanent importance. Without foster to call the foster care center families, some youth would located in the Vern Jackson children the chance to have a part of the household. Each have no hom es on the H om e. C o ch ran or any stable situation in which to get case is a little different. reservation. The community member of his staff can be of back on their feet again. T he 're q u ire m e n ts fo r members are essential to the a s s is ta n c e in p ro v id in g Cochran is sure that there are participation in the foster care information. Staff supervisor many “good families that could program as f it residence for program. Community members who for the foster care program is give us a lot of help.” children are not stringent. The home must simply be suitable for the child, i t must have adequate facilities and a place for the child to sleep. The home does not necessarily have to have white-washed walls. What is most important, again, is the well-being of the child. by Donna Behrend i The tentative foster home is evaluated, and, if approved, the After spending the past next step “is a simple process of matching up the house with a thirteen years on the Warm child,” Cochran says. Family Springs reservation, agency needs are considered in such special officer Mark Werner is aspects as ages and personali headed /o r the Puget Sound ties. There is no desire to have Agency in Everett, Washing the child bounced around from ton. The Puget Sound Agency “We feel there are good people out there” who would be home to home. It is best if the includes 12 tribes and about 60,000 people. Werner will Willing to help and take in a initial arrangement works. assume his new position July 1. Although the Tribe has foster child, says director of Werner has worked for the provided funds for the foster youth services Dale Cochran. state of South Dakota as a parol and probationofficer and came to Warm Springs in 1969 to set up a parole and probation program for the y Coyote News i tribal court through authority of the BI A. He provided a resource for state and federal Mark and Bunny Werner courts that handled parole and probation cases. monitoring FL 95-638 (self- transferred to tribal court as * Spilyay Tymoo Staff * ★★★★ * ★ * “For some reason,” says determination) contracts and the juvenile clerk “for a very W e r n e r , “ th e p r o g r a m MANAGING EDITOR ............ ............ ...........Sid Millet w orking w ith o th e r law short time,” because the court dwindled out.” In actuality, enforcement agencies such as was being reorganized. She ASSISTANT EDITOR .......................Sandy Rangila only four parole and probation the secret service, postal began serving as the judge’s PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALIST/WRITER Donna Behrend officers were assigned to inspectors, IRS and AT&F secretary in August, 1980 until reservations, according to (A lc o h o l, T o b a c c o an d she was promoted to court REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHERS Werner. administrator in 1981. Firearms) departments. Pat Leno Marsha Shewczyk In 1973, W erner was As Werner leaves, so does his Bunny says that changes switched over to the criminal fa m ily — his wife B ernice have improved the court TYPESETTER ............................... Priscilla Squiemphen investigator/juvenile officer’s “Bunny” and two teen-aged fu n c tio n s, helping co u rt position, “so 1 could go back to sons, Brett and Jerry. procedures to flow more FOUNDED IN MARCH OF 1976 Wounded Knee, South Dakota Bunny has been tribal court smoothly. Public relations are for two weeks.” Apparently, his adm instrator since August, an important facet to the court Published bi-weekly by the Confederated Tribes of the parole and probation position 1981. Bunny came to Warm a d m in is tr a to r ’s jo b . I t ’s Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. Warm Springs, didn’t fit the situation in Springs in 1978 from Tacoma, B unny’s responsibility to Oregon 97761. Located in the Old Administration Building. Wounded Knee at the time. W ash in g to n to w ork as explain laws and the judge’s Any written material to Spilyay Tymoo should be addressed It was in July, 1980, that executive secretary for Kah- decisions—which often times to: Werner became agency special Nee-Ta general manager. leads to arguments. officer to head up BIA law After a “whirlwind” (four Both of the Werner’s have Spilyay Tymoo enforcement program here in m o n th s ) c o u r ts h ip , the fond memories of Warm P.O. Box 735 Warm Springs and also on Werner’s were iriarried. In Springs and neither wants to Warm Springs, Oregon 97761 B u r n s / P a i u t e . T h o u g h August, Bunny began working leave. Bunny says, “I like the Phone 553-1644 or 553-1161, Ext. 274, 285 Werner’s major duties involve for the accounting department people, the style of living and and The Darkroom ext. 286 Warm Sprines. he travels to as secretary for contracts and the quiet life. One must go Burns at least every two budgets. Then in May 1979, she where one must go.” Subscription Rate: $6.00 per year S p ily a y T ym oo “We love it here...” Werners headed for Everett
