Iowa commission told of lack of Native American foster homes

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A state panel is getting an earful about a lack of foster homes for Native American children in northwestern Iowa.

The Iowa Commission on Native American Affairs was told of the problem Friday during a three-hour meeting in Sioux City, the Sioux City Journal reported.

Shane Frisch, a state social work supervisor, told the commission that there are only five licensed foster homes with Native American parents in Woodbury County. At the same time, 2015 numbers from the Iowa Department of Human Services show that Native American foster placement in the state is up about 30 percent.

Sioux City Councilman Dan Moore, who attended the meeting, said the city should do more to help the Native community.

“Sioux City is a great community, but we can do better,” Moore said. “And we need to do better.”

Changes to the Indian Child Welfare Act call for Native American child placement preference to be with people of their own tribe.

Native American activist Frank LaMere, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, said the Iowa Department of Human Services has made strides toward helping.

“Historically, there has always been a need for Native foster families,” LaMere said. “DHS has resolved to get Native kids in Native homes, and that is hard to do with a limited amount of Native foster homes.”

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Information from: Sioux City Journal, http://www.siouxcityjournal.com