Max Baucus: “I am happy to co-sponsor this legislation with my colleagues, Senators Daschle, McCain, Inouye, Feinstein, and Cochran…”

“I am happy to co-sponsor this legislation with my colleagues, Senators Daschle, McCain, Inouye, Feinstein, and Cochran, to extend the Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance programs to Indian tribes. This legislation will enhance tribal sovereignty by giving tribes choices when it comes to providing child welfare services to their children. Hundreds of thousands of children are currently in foster care due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The programs authorized under Title IV- E of the Social Security Act play an important role in safeguarding the well-being of these children. The programs provide funding to states to cover the costs of food, shelter, clothing, and other supplies for eligible children that are placed in foster care. States also receive funding for related administrative and training costs. Unfortunately, thousands of Native American children who meet income eligibility criteria are not automatically eligible to receive this funding if they are placed in foster care or up for adoption by a tribal agency.”