Post by Okwes on Aug 10, 2006 13:19:27 GMT -5
Senate authorizes funding to prevent the abuse of Indian children
Native leaders praise move
WASHINGTON DC
Native American Times 8/8/2006
The Senate has approved legislation that earmarks money for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services to help tribes establish on-reservation child abuse prevention and treatment programs through 2010.
The funds come in the form of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act of 2006, passed unanimously.
Indian leaders applauded the move.
"We look forward to the Senate extending the same unanimous show of support for Indian health care by passing the next major piece of legislation crucial to the health and well-being of Native people--the Indian Health Care Improvement Act,� said National Congress of American Indians president Joe Garcia, adding that he commends Arizona Republican John McCain and North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan with helping to push the bill through.
In addition to accelerating the creation of the child abuse programs, the bill would also provide criminal sanctions for professionals who fail to report acts of abuse or suspected abuse and would prescribe a child abuse reporting process for law enforcement.
According to the National Indian Child Welfare Association, of the 405,000 American Indian children in the United States today, 28,000 of them-about seven percent- are thought to be at risk for abuse and/or neglect each year. The vast majority of these cases are substance abuse related. Almost 10,000 American Indian children are currently in foster homes or other out-of-home care situations.
Garcia is optimistic those numbers can change for the better.
"This will give tribes and Indian families the tools they need to regain and maintain stability and harmony in their lives,� he said. �As people who are so dependent on the well-being of our youth to maintain our Native cultures and traditions, we must continue to ensure that we raise happy, healthy and productive Indian children."
www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8075
Native leaders praise move
WASHINGTON DC
Native American Times 8/8/2006
The Senate has approved legislation that earmarks money for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services to help tribes establish on-reservation child abuse prevention and treatment programs through 2010.
The funds come in the form of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act of 2006, passed unanimously.
Indian leaders applauded the move.
"We look forward to the Senate extending the same unanimous show of support for Indian health care by passing the next major piece of legislation crucial to the health and well-being of Native people--the Indian Health Care Improvement Act,� said National Congress of American Indians president Joe Garcia, adding that he commends Arizona Republican John McCain and North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan with helping to push the bill through.
In addition to accelerating the creation of the child abuse programs, the bill would also provide criminal sanctions for professionals who fail to report acts of abuse or suspected abuse and would prescribe a child abuse reporting process for law enforcement.
According to the National Indian Child Welfare Association, of the 405,000 American Indian children in the United States today, 28,000 of them-about seven percent- are thought to be at risk for abuse and/or neglect each year. The vast majority of these cases are substance abuse related. Almost 10,000 American Indian children are currently in foster homes or other out-of-home care situations.
Garcia is optimistic those numbers can change for the better.
"This will give tribes and Indian families the tools they need to regain and maintain stability and harmony in their lives,� he said. �As people who are so dependent on the well-being of our youth to maintain our Native cultures and traditions, we must continue to ensure that we raise happy, healthy and productive Indian children."
www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8075