Counties seek financial help when placing American Indian children in foster care

Some counties have high costs for placing tribal children in foster care, which can be in locations far away from home. They are asking the state to pick up the tab for what the federal government doesn’t cover.

HF995 would require the state to reimburse counties for their share of the costs, for which they have no control. Tribal courts decide on child welfare cases and try to place children in culturally appropriate homes. Up to 20 percent of the cost can come from local property taxes.

Rep. Jason Rarick

Rep. Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) sponsors the bill, which was approved by the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee Friday and referred to the House Civil Law and Data Practices Committee. SF207, a companion sponsored by Sen. Tony Lourey (DFL-Kerrick), has been laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus tax bill.

A disproportionate number of American Indian children are placed in foster care, according to Rochelle Westlund, health and human services policy analyst at the Association of Minnesota Counties. In Beltrami County, for instance, the cost is $881 per placement.

Several committee members expressed concern that state funds could incentivize tribes to order more out-of-home placements and urged Rarick to include language that supports a full continuum of care, taking into account what’s best for each child.