South Dakota is seeing a major increase in Native American foster homes after the state eased rules for family-based care.
Officials say the number of licensed Native foster homes has grown 44 percent since last summer, rising from 93 to 134. The change follows updated kinship care rules that make it easier for relatives and close family friends to become licensed caregivers.
The move comes as Native American children remain overrepresented in the foster system, making up nearly 69 percent of children in care—despite being just 13 percent of the state’s youth population.
State data also shows an 80 percent increase in children placed in licensed kinship homes, with about one-third of Native foster children now living with relatives.
Tribal leaders say keeping children with family helps reduce trauma and better reflects cultural practices, and they’re urging continued collaboration with the state to expand those efforts.
Officials say they’ll keep reviewing the program as they work to improve outcomes for children across South Dakota.
