HHS News Release

HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today approved a child welfare demonstration project for New Mexico that will for the first time delegate authority to Native American tribes to operate their own child welfare programs.

"This is a truly historic project for a state and its tribes to help children most at-risk of harm," said Secretary Shalala. "The Adoption and Safe Families Act signed by President Clinton two years ago provided this opportunity for New Mexico to create a new relationship among the state, tribes, and the federal government in administering child welfare programs to ensure the safety, well-being and permanency for vulnerable children."

Under the demonstration, New Mexico will delegate full authority and responsibility for administration of child welfare Title IV-B and foster care and adoption Title IV-E programs to as many as five tribes. The Navajo Nation is expected to be one of the five. The foster care funds can also be used to subsidize guardianships as permanent placement options for children in state or tribal custody for whom reunification and adoption are not options.

Under the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, HHS is authorized to approve up to 10 demonstration projects each year through 2002. HHS has encouraged states to develop innovative child welfare projects aimed at increasing adoptions of special needs children, promoting community-based services to prevent child abuse and neglect, improving access to needed health and mental health services, and addressing the unique needs of American Indian children. This is the 19th waiver approved under this authority.

"This demonstration offers a unique opportunity for tribes to build an innovative partnership with a state in the child welfare program," said Olivia A. Golden, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "We are very excited to support this important project and look forward to sharing its lessons with the rest of the country."

The tribes will be accountable for child outcomes and fiscal responsibilities inherent in operating a child welfare program. New Mexico will monitor the programs and provide quality control services.

New Mexico's project is for five years, will be cost-neutral, and include a rigorous evaluation.

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Contact: Michael Kharfen, (202) 401-9215