States must now report data on Native American children in foster care

The US government is requiring states to collect and report more data on Native American children in foster care and adoption systems. This means states will have to track specific information related to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.

For decades, there has been a lack of clear, consistent data on Native American children in state foster care systems. This made it hard to see if the Indian Child Welfare Act, which aims to keep Native children with Native families, was actually working. Now, states will have to provide specific numbers, making it possible to track compliance and outcomes.