Michigan's efforts to improve outcomes for American Indian and Native American children in foster care

Michigan has 12 federally recognized tribes, which are as follows: Bay Mills Indian Community, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Hannahville Indian Community, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. The Department of Human Services has formed a partnership with the tribes to protect, preserve and strengthen tribal families. An advisory board identifies barriers, makes recommendations and assists in establishing common practice to deliver services to Indian children and families. This advisory board contributed to the revision of the DHS Indian Child Welfare policy in 1999. Tribes have been provided with technical assistance from the Region V office. A "Children's Services Administration Day" is being planned in conjunction with a tribal meeting on December 2, 2009 to share additional information about the new guardianship program.

The Fostering Connections Resource Center gratefully acknowledges the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators for providing these summaries of state approaches. Please visit NAPCWA for the complete implementation summary.