Foster Care Program

The Program helps provide foster homes appropriate for Native American children. Our staff continues to recruit Native Americans that are willing and able to provide foster care. Placement in non-Native homes adds additional stress as the children often lose touch with their comforting culture and familiar social network.

Ideally, children are placed in homes with life-styles consistent with traditional Native American values and beliefs. Unfortunately, there are too few culturally appropriate foster homes.

Angel Peterson, Foster Home Licensor

SPIPA has been licensed, as a child-placing agency, through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Department of Licensed Resources (DLR) since June of 1994 and has provided safe homes to many children.

By working in partnership with the Social Services programs at each of the member tribes, SPIPA offers a full range of services to the children and families involved in foster care placement.

• Recruit foster parents for Native American children.
• Assist applicants with the licensing process: help them complete forms and submit background checks.
• Certification for licensing homes for foster care.
• Coordinate foster family services (such as counseling) for families and children, including: assistance with payments, clothing and gifts for the children in placement, and recognition of foster families.

For more information call Angel Peterson at
(360) 462-3217, or toll-free at (800) 924-3984.