Turtle Talk

As we have written about here and here and here, the Automated Foster Care and Adoption Reporting System (AFCARS), currently the only federal source of data on children in foster care, recently added data collection elements for AI/AN kids in care. This means that for the first time, we would have some real data from the states on their ICWA work. This sounds like dry stuff, but it’s really the one major way for us to have aggregate nationwide data on notice/placements/transfer–basically all of ICWA.

Unfortunately, it appears the Administration is trying to change or kill the rule. We received information late (this weekend) that the Administration for Children and Families asked for a “Proposed Information Collection Activity, Comment Request” in June, but it didn’t trigger an alert under our search terms. As such, comments on WHY this is so important are due August 30th. There are a few of us working on comments for tribes, so please contact us or leave a comment if you are interested (I’ll try to post something this week). If you work for a state, and think this is important information to have, or are already collecting it, PLEASE try to submit something in support. The information question presented is:

The Department specifically requests comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.