California Bill Passes Creating Resources to Prevent More Native Children in Foster Care

Last week, the California state assembly passed a bill to generate more resources to prevent Indigenous children from entering foster care. Assembly Bill 1378 would amend state law to permit California tribes to work with state programs to permit native children to stay at home with their families. 

According to Chris Rogers, who authored the bill, California’s native children are placed in foster care at four times the rate compared to other children. 

Native children in foster care face racial bias, poverty, a lack of cultural sensitivity awareness, and substance abuse. The bill aspires to address these issues by providing more access to mental healthcare, parenting education, and substance abuse treatment. The bill would allow tribes to receive direct services and funding without going through a mediating party. 

If signed by Gavin Newsom, the bill will also train social workers, provide help to tribes for data collection, and provide funding for legal representation.