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Foster Care Services
NAYA Foster Care Services Program assists youth and families who are involved with state or tribal foster care systems. We offer services to youth from birth to age 24 as well as their families.
NAYA’s Foster Care Services provides support and resources to families. We do not provide legal advice!
Young adults who aged out of foster care can also receive services through age 24. Our staff work to provide consistent culturally appropriate individual- and family-based support services. These services help to build understanding and maintain Native cultural traditions and connections.
We assist youth and families to identify and access other community resources that fit their needs and goals. We support families with reunification or in finding other permanent homes. We recruit new foster families from the Native American community and are here to support them through the certification process.
To be eligible for some programs, you must have referral from a Department Human Services caseworker. NAYA staff can help with this process should you need assistance.
Foster Care Services is led by:
Director of Family Services Tawna Sanchez
Foster Care Services Manager Elisha Big Back
THe programs
Foster Care Support
The foster care support program assists youth who are in state or tribal foster care systems.
Pathways to Adulthood Independent Living Program
Pathways to Adulthood is a culturally-specific independent living program (ILP) funded by the (DHS) to provide support and assistance to Native American youth ages 14 – 21 who are currently or who have been in state or tribal foster care systems.
KEEP
The program supports foster families by promoting child wellbeing and preventing placement breakdowns.
Other Services Available
Sibling and Family Visit Night
Once a month, the Foster Care program holds Sibling and Family Visit Night to provide a positive natural environment for youth in foster care to visit with siblings, family members, and other people they have connections with.
Family First Prevention
The program is for bio families to connect with a specialist that will help them with life skills, system navigation, and connecting to community resources to help stabilize their families.
Protect ICWA Campaign
The Protect ICWA Campaign, established in response to legal challenges to ICWA. The campaign works to support tribal child welfare programs, and prevent the unnecessary removal of Native children from their families and communities.
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