Fostering Connections Resource Center

Here you will find state and national tools, analyses and research related specifically to the Tribal provisions of the new Fostering Connections law. If you know of any resources that do not appear in our library, please send us an email at with the suggested resource, author and website URL for consideration.

Michigan Resources

Tools

  • The Child Welfare Policy Manual Section 9: Tribes/Indian Tribal Organizations
    The Child Welfare Policy Manual conveys mandatory policies that have their basis in Federal law and/or program regulations. It also provides interpretations of Federal statutes and program regulations initiated by inquiries from Child Welfare agencies or ACF Regional Offices.
  • Federal and State Recognized Tribes
    A state-by-state listing of Indian tribes or groups that are federally or state recognized.
  • Title IV-E: Helping Tribes Meet the Legal Requirements
    Many tribes have tribal codes, regulations and policies but many of these were developed outside the requirements of Title IV-E as tribes did not directly operate Title IV-E programs. When seeking to operate Title IV-E programs, tribes will need to assess their current codes, regulations and policies and make changes as needed. This report by Jack F. Trope provides tribes with detailed information about the Title IV-E issues that tribes must address through codes, regulations or policies and offers strategies that tribes can use to make needed revisions.

Research & Reports

  • Indian Child Welfare Act; Designated Tribal Agents for Service of Notice
    Federal Resource: This list of Indian Child Welfare Act; Designated Tribal Agents appeared in the Federal Register on Wednesday, May 19, 2010.
  • Connecting Children to their Native American Roots. Tribal Contact Lookup:
    Private Company Created Resource: Ayazuta. Provides up to date information on Tribal Contacts and additional resources for states to strengthen their notice of tribes in child welfare cases.
  • Key Considerations and Best Practices for Tribal Title IV-E Data Collection and Reporting
    This report by Dr. Priscilla Day and Erin Geary provides an overview of the critical issues related to American Indian child welfare and data collection. It describes the data reporting requirements under Title IV-E. Drawing on the experiences of successful tribal agencies that have collected and reported data in an effective, culturally relevant way, it describes challenges, lessons learned and best practice related to child welfare data collection. It further provides an assessment tool for tribes to use to assess their readiness to implement Title IV-E services.
  • Michigan Fostering Connections Act Implementation Report
    Provides an overview of the state's child welfare population, budget, native tribes, and the progress (as of 2009) the state has made in implementing the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act.
  • Improving Permanency for Children in Michigan's Foster Care System: How Are Our Children Faring Since the Enactment of the Fostering Connections to Success Act?
    A report on the Fostering Connections Act and how it will effect Michigans children.

Analysis

  • ACYF-CB-PI-08-05
    A description of the provisions of Public Law 110-351 by the Children's Bureau.
  • Resources from CDF on policies and programs related to Fostering Connections Act
    An array of resources by the Children's Defense Fund on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.

Training

No resources are available for Michigan.

National Resources

Tools

  • Overview of Tribal Provisions in P.L. 110-351
    Detailed description of the tribal provisions of Fostering Connection.
  • Technical Assistance on American Indian Child Welfare Systems
    National Indian Child Welfare (NICWA) staff and consultants provide technical assistance (TA) in the area of the Indian child welfare service systems development and improvement. The emphasis is on empowering tribal programs and increasing their capacity. TA services are adapted to meet the needs of both Indian and non-Indian organizations who request assistance in developing child welfare systems that impact American Indian children and their families.
  • National Indian Child Welfare Association on Mental Health
  • Systems of Care Tribal Communities
  • Native American Child Health
  • Title IV-E: Helping Tribes Meet the Legal Requirements
    Many tribes have tribal codes, regulations and policies but many of these were developed outside the requirements of Title IV-E as tribes did not directly operate Title IV-E programs. When seeking to operate Title IV-E programs, tribes will need to assess their current codes, regulations and policies and make changes as needed. This report by Jack F. Trope provides tribes with detailed information about the Title IV-E issues that tribes must address through codes, regulations or policies and offers strategies that tribes can use to make needed revisions.
  • Circles of Care
  • Native American Children and Youth Well Being Indicators: A Strengths Perspective
  • Native American Kids, 2001. Indian Children's Well Being Indicators: Databook
  • Title IV-E Plan Pre-print
    The attached pre-print from the Children's Bureau incorporates the statutory provisions of P.L. 110-351 that are effective through FY 2010

Research & Reports

  • "Green Book"- Child Welfare section
    The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee "Green Book" section on child welfare includes information on federal programs dedicated to child welfare purposes, including program requirements, spending and characteristics of children served.
  • Overview of Tribal Provisions in P.L. 110-351
    Detailed description of the tribal provisions of Fostering Connection.
  • Tribal/State Title IV-E Intergovernmental Agreements: Facilitating Tribal Access to Federal Resources
  • Indian Child Welfare Act; Designated Tribal Agents for Service of Notice
    Federal Resource: This list of Indian Child Welfare Act; Designated Tribal Agents appeared in the Federal Register on Wednesday, May 19, 2010.
  • Connecting Children to their Native American Roots. Tribal Contact Lookup:
    Private Company Created Resource: Ayazuta. Provides up to date information on Tribal Contacts and additional resources for states to strengthen their notice of tribes in child welfare cases.
  • National Indian Child Welfare Association's Information on Customary Adoption
  • The Indian Extended Family and Its Relationship to Parenting
  • Traditional Native American Culture and Contemporary U.S. Society: A Comparison
  • Key Considerations and Best Practices for Tribal Title IV-E Data Collection and Reporting
    This report by Dr. Priscilla Day and Erin Geary provides an overview of the critical issues related to American Indian child welfare and data collection. It describes the data reporting requirements under Title IV-E. Drawing on the experiences of successful tribal agencies that have collected and reported data in an effective, culturally relevant way, it describes challenges, lessons learned and best practice related to child welfare data collection. It further provides an assessment tool for tribes to use to assess their readiness to implement Title IV-E services.
  • Trauma Exposure in American Indian/Alaskan Native Children
  • Transition Programs in Indian Country
    Provides an initial understanding of programs available to American Indian youth and services provided within American Indian communities.
  • Improving Access to Independent Living Services for Tribes and American Indian Youth.
    Describes how Tribes can access independent living services for Indian youth and be involved in the development of culturally appropriate services to assist Indian youth as they begin the transition from tribal and state foster care systems to adulthood.
  • Court Reform and American Indian and Alaskan Native Children: Increasing Protections and Improving Outcomes
    Description of court reforms related to handling of cases involving American Indian and Alaskan Native children.

Analysis

  • Summary and Section-by-Section Description of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (H.R. 6893)
    This memorandum provides a section-by-section overview of major provisions included in the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008.
  • The President Signs Into Law Historic Child Welfare Legislation with New Tribal Funding for Foster Care, Guardianship, Adoption and Independent Living Services
    Provides an overview of Tribal Provisions of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008.
  • Resources from CLASP on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act
    An array of resources by the Center for Law and Social Policy on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.
  • Resources from CDF on policies and programs related to Fostering Connections Act
    An array of resources by the Children's Defense Fund on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.

Training

No resources are available.