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
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n
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r
,
“
th
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p
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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.”
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S p ily a y T ym oo
“We love it here...”
Werners headed for Everett