2014 Tribal Foster and Adoptive Family Recruitment Fair

On May 3, 2014, the Osage Nation and Delaware Tribe hosted the 2014 Tribal Foster & Adoptive Family Recruitment Fair at the Delaware Community Center 170 NE Barbara in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Fourteen tribes, two DHS offices, and two DHS vendors were on hand to take applications, answer questions and share program information on becoming a certified and licensed tribal foster or adoptive home.

The Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association (OICWA) and Casey Family Program–Indian Child Welfare Program were also in attendance.

Casey Family Programs is a major sponsor of this event. Casey Family Programs is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused entirely on foster care and improving the child welfare system. Their office is located in the state of Colorado. Founded in 1966, Casey Family Programs work to provide and improve and ultimately prevent the need for foster care in the United States.

Native American Tribes in Oklahoma need more tribal foster and adoptive homes. Our tribal children, when removed from the care of their parents, due to child abuse and neglect, often, end up in non-Indian foster homes. When this happens, tribal foster children suffer the risk of losing their culture and identity. The tribal homes that are certified through tribal Indian Child Welfare (ICW) programs get filled up fast, often the home(s) ends up adopting the children they care for and the home is closed out as they cannot take in any more children.

We have had a lot of good tribal foster and adoptive homes, but the need is still there. We invite all interested tribal people to become a licensed and certified tribal foster home.

The tribes represented at this event were: Osage Nation, Delaware Tribe of Indians, Iowa Tribe, Cherokee Nation, Seminole Nation, Sac & Fox nation, Absentee Shawnee, Citizen Potawatomi, Kickapoo Tribe, Creek Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Ponca Tribe, Pawnee Nation, and Kaw Nation. DHS office and vendors represented were Tallgrass Family Services, St. Francis Community Services, DHS Adoptions, and Osage County DHS.

At 12 noon, during lunch, there was a guest speaker: Mr. Daryle Conquering Bear. Daryle is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and has experienced over seven years in the Colorado foster care system and aged out at 18 years old. Daryle has struggled with the challenges of culture and identity loss. Now, having overcome these struggles, he helps Indian County by being a youth voice on panels and round-table discussions. He serves as an advisory council member and consultant for the National Resource Center for Tribes. Daryle started his advocacy work with Foster Club, as an All-Star intern. He is currently a consultant for National Resource Center for Youth Development, and has testified before congress on behalf of his Native American tribe. He has worked closely with senators and congressional members to tell his story and to be a voice of advocacy for tribal children in foster care.

At 10 am and 1 pm, a panel of tribal foster and adoptive parents answered questions and told about their experience in caring for tribal foster children.

Lunch was provided, and there were be children’s activities. Door prizes were given away throughout the day, including a TV and DVD player, a spa package, Pendleton blankets, Pendleton towels, $75.00 Walmart gift card, gas cards, and a painting donated by Ponca City artist June Teichmer.

Thank you to all who attended. We urge tribal people/families to commit themselves in caring for their tribal foster and adoptive children. Please help and “Protect Our Children, Keep Them Close to their Roots”; apply to become a certified and licensed tribal foster home!!!

For more information, please call Osage Nation Social Services Foster Care Specialist Jenny Rush-Buffalohead or Adoption Specialist Rebecca Fish at (918) 287-5335, or Delaware Tribe ICW Director Allan Barnes at (918) 337-6520.