NCJ Number
152952
Journal
Protecting Children Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: (1994) Pages: 10-12
Date Published
1994
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses seven factors in a 13-item risk assessment matrix that child protection workers may misuse unless they view the factors within a cultural context in applying them to the Native American Indian child and family.
Abstract
A failure to consider tribal cultures could result in an inaccurate reading of high risk and the unnecessary placement of children into foster care. The seven factors are (1) the child's age, physical, and mental abilities; (2) the caretaker's physical, intellectual, or emotional abilities, and self control; (3) the caretaker's level of cooperation; (4) the caretaker's parenting skills and knowledge; (5) the presence of a paramour or parent substitute in the home; (6) the home's environmental condition; and (7) the strength of family support systems. Child protection workers must recognize that Native American children receive considerable freedom at early ages, that Indians are often extremely fearful of child protective service workers, and that nonbiological father figures living in a Native American home are unlikely to be jealous of the child. In addition, poverty is pervasive among American Indians and affects home maintenance and overcrowding. The 13-item checklist has been useful in Montana, but workers must consider these and other cultural factors when interpreting these seven items. 3 references