Tribal communities in South Dakota have long reported challenges in keeping kids in need of foster care on reservations, but some efforts are underway to fix the problem, including the construction of special homes in one tribal area.
On the Cheyenne River Reservation, Lakota and Dakota community organizer Marcella Gilbert is working with Simply Smiles, a nonprofit group that has been building homes for local kids in need of care. She says giving kids a professional and nurturing support system is important, even when they turn 18.
“It isn’t like, ‘Okay, you’re done. See you.’ It’s like, ‘Okay, let’s talk about what you want to do here. Do you want to go to college? Do you want to go to job training? You know, what do you want to do? We’ll help you do that.'”
Simply Smiles communications manager Alex Gross says by offering an environment steeped in Lakota traditions, kids are likely to have a greater sense of belonging, even if they’ve dealt with trauma in the past.
“We are doing everything to make sure that they remain with their kin and community. That includes working with a team of Lakota elders – we call them the ‘grandmothers group.'”
State Department of Social Services Secretary Laurie Gill says earlier this year, they launched a campaign to recruit more foster families in tribal areas. She believes they can reach their goal of 300.
“We have met 42% of our first-year goal, and we launched this in May. So, we’re very pleased with the progress.”
Find more information about Simply Smiles at simplysmiles.org/home. Details about the state foster care program can be found at fosteronesd.gov.
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