Alaska Agreement Gives Tlingit & Haida Tribal Council Jurisdiction Over Tribal Children In Foster Care

On March 2, 2016, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) signed an agreement with the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Central Council) that gives the council jurisdiction over tribal children in foster care. The goal is to start with new child protective services (CPS) cases and transfer the first case to the Central Council Tribal Family & Youth Services (TFYS) Department by June 30, 2016. The Central Council will transfer more cases from the DHSS Office of Children’s Services (OCS) as they have the capacity. Under this agreement, the Central . . .