15.103: Indian Social Services: Child Welfare Assistance


Objectives: To provide foster home care and appropriate institutional (non-medical) care for dependent, neglected, and handicapped Indian children in need of protection residing on or near reservations, including those children living in Bureau of Indian Affairs service area jurisdictions in Alaska and Oklahoma, when these services are not available from State or local public agencies.


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15.103 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility: Dependent, neglected, and handicapped Indian children in need of protection whose families live on or near Indian reservations or in Bureau of Indian Affairs service area jurisdictions in Alaska and Oklahoma, and who are not eligible for similar Federal, State or county funded programs. Application may be made by a parent, guardian or person having custody of the child, or by court referral.

Beneficiary Eligibility: Member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe.

Credentials/Documentation: Must provide documented proof of membership in a federally recognized Indian Tribe and residence is on or near a reservation or in Bureau of Indian Affairs' service area jurisdictions in Alaska and Oklahoma. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

15.103 APPLICATION & AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure: A written request for assistance to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Agency Superintendent or to tribally contracted program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure: Assistance is provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Agency or by Indian tribal contracts under Public Law 93-638.

Deadlines: None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Generally a request is approved the same day or within 10 days, depending upon the extent of need and assessment necessary.

Appeals: An appeal from a decision of the local agency may be taken to the Area Director, an appeal from the Area Director to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Renewals: Not applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals: Must be Indian child in need of substitute care and services as defined in 25 CFR 20. All eligible applicants funded subject to available funding.

Examples of Funded Projects: Individual payment for foster care on behalf of child requiring temporary care away from his or her home: Specialized institutional (non-medical) care for handicapped children; protective services to abused, dependent or neglected children.

Range & Average of Financial Assistance: $100 to $1,600; $550. (Assistance per child per month, depending on type of care or treatment required.)

15.103 RELATED PROGRAMS:

15.103 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Child welfare assistance was estimated to be provided to a monthly average of 3,500 children during fiscal year 1995, and an estimated monthly average of 2,500 children during fiscal years 1996 and 1997.

15.103 FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency: BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Type of Assistance: Direct Payments for Specified Use.

Obligations: (Direct payments) FY 95 $18,500,000; FY 96 est $18,500,000; and FY 97 est $18,500,000.

Budget Account Number: 14-2100-0-1-452.

Authorization: Snyder Act of 1921, Public Law 67-85, 42 Stat. 208, 25 U.S.C. 13.

Regulations, Guidelines, & Literature: 25 CFR 20, and 66 Indian Affairs Manual (BIAM) 10.0 - 10.24.

15.103 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office: Information can be secured from the Agency Superintendents, and from Area Directors. (See Catalog appendix IV for addresses.) Applications for child welfare assistance are made at the local agency or tribal level.

Headquarters Office: Division of Social Services, Office of Tribal Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, MS-4603, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240. Contact: Betty Tippeconnie. Phone: (202) 208-2721.

15.103 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula & Matching Requirements: Not applicable.

Length & Time Phasing of Assistance: The length of assistance is indefinite, depending on continued need and available resources. Assistance is usually provided monthly or as needed.

Uses & Use Restrictions: To pay for foster home care or institutional (non-medical) care or certain other special needs relating to care and maintenance of children.

15.103 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports: None.

Audits: None.

Records: None.


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