State reviews tribe's child welfare program
By Travis Coleman Journal Staff Writer | Posted: Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska's child welfare program is seeking to meet state recommendations after a review noted a lack of background checks for foster parents, among other findings.
Of the 22 cases examined, there was a lack of documentation for contact between tribal child welfare staff and children, parents, foster parents or providers, according to a review done by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. There were also no records of child abuse assessments or safety plans.
The review also showed that tribal law enforcement was asked to do background checks on potential foster parents, but there was no record that the checks were done. The department interviewed child welfare staff, who offered varied accounts on how long it takes to complete a background check. Some said three days, others said three months.
But the review did find quality court records, up-to-date documentation of placements, immunizations and educational progress along with access to substance abuse programs for parents.
The department's recommendations include:
-- That tribal law enforcement provide full disclosure of specific tribal criminal history within three working days;
-- That the Nebraska State Patrol allow tribal welfare staff to access further background checks;
-- That staff have discussions with state protection and safety staff on how to best assess the safety of children in their homes, rather than remove them based on allegations alone;
-- That regular staffing occur between the child welfare program and the Indian Child Welfare Act program;
-- That staff maintain up-to-date case records, particularly for child abuse assessments and foster parent licensing.
The Omaha Tribal Council asked the department to do the review following the death of 20-month-old Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell. Saunsoci-Mitchell died one year ago while in the custody of foster parents Carlos and Tisha Vega, who authorities say housed up to a dozen people in their home. He was a ward of the Omaha Tribe when he was placed with the Vegas in South Sioux City in summer 2006.
On Sept. 22, 2006, he was with a baby sitter until he was with the Vegas for a few hours before being taken to Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City with traumatic head injuries. He was flown by helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he died Sept. 24.
The department's review started Dec. 6, 2006. The council asked that one unidentified case be specifically reviewed while 21 other cases were selected at random. Child care staff were also interviewed.
After the review was finalized this summer, the Omaha Tribe started implementing the recommendations, said Chris Hanus, administrator for the department's child welfare unit. The department will check in with the tribe on a quarterly basis to see if they're meeting certain performance standards.
"They've embraced these recommendations. They've identified the need for improvement. They're on their way," Hanus said.
Members of the tribal council were unavailable for an interview Tuesday and Thayne Glenn, the attorney who represents the tribe's child welfare program, had no comment on the report.
Dakota County Attorney Ed Matney will update the Saunsoci-Mitchell investigation Friday. Authorities still have not charged anyone in connection with his death.
In July Matney said he was concerned that people may be withholding information crucial to the investigation. When the appropriate amount of information is gathered, his office may convene a grand jury to seek an indictment that would force the Vegas to tell authorities what they know.
The possibility of direct charges also seemed unlikely at that point, he said.
The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska's child welfare program has agreed to meet the following targeted measures, the progress of which will be checked on a quarterly basis:
-- Case plans be completed within 60 calendar days of the child coming into custody;
-- Case plans be updated a minimum of every six months;
-- Reunification take place in less than 12 months;
-- No more than two placement settings if the child is in care less than 12 months;
-- Re-entries to foster care in less than 12 months after discharge;
-- A regression of maltreatment;
-- An incidence of child abuse or neglect in foster care;
-- Monthly visits to children;
-- Monthly visits to families;
-- Emergency shelter stays for no longer than 30 days.
Of the 22 cases examined, there was a lack of documentation for contact between tribal child welfare staff and children, parents, foster parents or providers, according to a review done by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. There were also no records of child abuse assessments or safety plans.
The review also showed that tribal law enforcement was asked to do background checks on potential foster parents, but there was no record that the checks were done. The department interviewed child welfare staff, who offered varied accounts on how long it takes to complete a background check. Some said three days, others said three months.
But the review did find quality court records, up-to-date documentation of placements, immunizations and educational progress along with access to substance abuse programs for parents.
The department's recommendations include:
-- That tribal law enforcement provide full disclosure of specific tribal criminal history within three working days;
-- That the Nebraska State Patrol allow tribal welfare staff to access further background checks;
-- That staff have discussions with state protection and safety staff on how to best assess the safety of children in their homes, rather than remove them based on allegations alone;
-- That regular staffing occur between the child welfare program and the Indian Child Welfare Act program;
-- That staff maintain up-to-date case records, particularly for child abuse assessments and foster parent licensing.
The Omaha Tribal Council asked the department to do the review following the death of 20-month-old Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell. Saunsoci-Mitchell died one year ago while in the custody of foster parents Carlos and Tisha Vega, who authorities say housed up to a dozen people in their home. He was a ward of the Omaha Tribe when he was placed with the Vegas in South Sioux City in summer 2006.
On Sept. 22, 2006, he was with a baby sitter until he was with the Vegas for a few hours before being taken to Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City with traumatic head injuries. He was flown by helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he died Sept. 24.
The department's review started Dec. 6, 2006. The council asked that one unidentified case be specifically reviewed while 21 other cases were selected at random. Child care staff were also interviewed.
After the review was finalized this summer, the Omaha Tribe started implementing the recommendations, said Chris Hanus, administrator for the department's child welfare unit. The department will check in with the tribe on a quarterly basis to see if they're meeting certain performance standards.
"They've embraced these recommendations. They've identified the need for improvement. They're on their way," Hanus said.
Members of the tribal council were unavailable for an interview Tuesday and Thayne Glenn, the attorney who represents the tribe's child welfare program, had no comment on the report.
Dakota County Attorney Ed Matney will update the Saunsoci-Mitchell investigation Friday. Authorities still have not charged anyone in connection with his death.
In July Matney said he was concerned that people may be withholding information crucial to the investigation. When the appropriate amount of information is gathered, his office may convene a grand jury to seek an indictment that would force the Vegas to tell authorities what they know.
The possibility of direct charges also seemed unlikely at that point, he said.
The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska's child welfare program has agreed to meet the following targeted measures, the progress of which will be checked on a quarterly basis:
-- Case plans be completed within 60 calendar days of the child coming into custody;
-- Case plans be updated a minimum of every six months;
-- Reunification take place in less than 12 months;
-- No more than two placement settings if the child is in care less than 12 months;
-- Re-entries to foster care in less than 12 months after discharge;
-- A regression of maltreatment;
-- An incidence of child abuse or neglect in foster care;
-- Monthly visits to children;
-- Monthly visits to families;
-- Emergency shelter stays for no longer than 30 days.
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Ar U Kidding? wrote on Sep 26, 2007 6:01 AM: