BISMARCK, N.D. — The leaders of four American Indian tribes in North Dakota have signed an agreement with the state that includes allowing tribes to license foster care parents on and off reservations.
The tribes attended a ceremonial signing Friday at the state Capitol.
The agreement involves funding that gives money to states and tribes for foster care, transitional independent living programs, and guardianship and adoption programs and services. Tribes can access the funding through an agreement with states.
State foster care administrator Dean Sturn says until the new agreement, tribes could license foster care parents only on tribal lands.
Sturn says Native American children represent more than 35% of children in North Dakota’s foster care system.
