Native American children continue to hold a significant presence in the South Dakota foster care system. New data reveals that at the end of fiscal year 2024, they accounted for 72.5% of the foster care population, a slight decrease from 74% in the previous year. The state's fiscal years run from July to June. This percentage is astonishingly about seven times greater than their representation in the general population.

Child Protection Services Report Highlights

The state Department of Social Services recently released its annual report, shedding light on various aspects of the foster care system. It details the number of children in foster care, their care arrangements, and discharge locations. As of the end of fiscal year 2024, there were 1,710 foster care children in the state, with 1,239 being Native American.Regarding care placements, nearly 30% of children, regardless of race, were placed in kinship care with relatives or close family friends. An impressive 85% were placed in a "family setting" with a foster family. In the latest report, the department added the "kinship care placement" detail as it aims to boost the number of family members or relatives caring for a child instead of placing them in a foster home. Currently, only 11% (89 out of 824) of foster homes are Native American.The department plans to launch a Kinship Licensing Program next year to increase the number of kinship caregivers. Currently, kinship caregivers do not receive the same level of resources and financial support as foster parents unless they become licensed foster parents. This training is extensive, time-consuming, and may not be directly relevant to the kin's situation as they are already familiar with the child.

Benefits of Kinship Care

When children have to be removed from their homes, prioritizing kinship care can have numerous positive impacts. According to Child Trends, a research organization focused on child welfare, it can enhance academic, behavioral, and mental health outcomes. It allows the child to stay within their culture and community, providing a sense of stability and belonging.

Family First Prevention Plan in Development

South Dakota is currently working on its federally mandated, three-year Family First Prevention Plan. This plan aims to use federal funds to pay for prevention services without removing children from at-risk homes. South Dakota is one of the last four states in the nation to create this plan. It shows the state's commitment to addressing the root causes of child welfare issues.

Outcomes of the 2024 Fiscal Year

During the 2024 fiscal year, 1,006 children left the child welfare system. Of these, 493 were reunited with their families. A significant 233 children were adopted, with 58% being adopted by a foster parent and 37% by a relative. Additionally, 63 children were transferred to a tribal program, 65 children aged out of the system, 88 were placed into a formal guardianship agreement, 50 were placed with a relative without guardianship, four were transferred to the Department of Corrections, and six were transferred to another agency. It's important to note that two children ran away and two children died in state care. The report did not provide further details about these incidents, and a request for more information is pending with the Department of Social Services.The department also reported the placement of 241 children in adoptive homes, further highlighting the efforts to find stable homes for these children.