U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have reintroduced the Native American Child Protection Act (NACPA), bipartisan legislation aimed at providing Tribes with the necessary tools to address and combat Native American child abuse and neglect. The bill authorizes three programs dedicated to treatment, prevention, investigation and prosecution to protect the well-being of Native American children, according to a press release on July 17, 2023.
"Congress has acknowledged there is ‘no resource that is more vital to the continued existence and integrity of Indian Tribes than their children," Luján said.
Despite their initial authorization, the programs the bill authorizes have faced insufficient funding and a lack of reauthorization, prompting the need for renewed support and resources, according to the press release.
Luján continued, “Given the traumatic history of Native children being disproportionately removed from their families, Tribes need tailored child welfare support in their communities to heal and keep Native families together. The Native American Child Protection Act will finally address the shortfall in Tribal-specific services to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect by reauthorizing programs intended for this purpose. I’m proud to re-introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure the federal government and Tribal Nations work together to better protect Native children.”
The NACPA seeks to bridge funding gaps by establishing the National Indian Child Resource and Family Services Center, serving as a comprehensive resource hub that offers technical assistance, training and intergovernmental coordination for federal and Tribal personnel involved in addressing child abuse, family violence and child neglect. Furthermore, the legislation reauthorizes the Indian Child Abuse Treatment Grant Program, enabling the establishment of culturally appropriate treatment programs and services for victims of child abuse and neglect in Indian Country. Additionally, it renews formula grants to Tribes under the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Program, ensuring ongoing support for child abuse prevention and investigation efforts. The NACPA aims to equip Tribes with the necessary resources and support to safeguard the well-being of Native American children and strengthen the protection measures within their communities, according to the press release.
“The Native American Child Protection Act would modernize and reauthorize programs that aim to assist tribes in their efforts to help victims of child abuse and prevent future abuse,” Collins added in the release. “This bill recognizes the significance of each tribe’s unique cultural values, customs, and traditions, while helping to ensure that children and families receive the support they deserve.”
