Native American children continue to hold a significant presence in the South Dakota foster care system. New data reveals that at the end of fiscal year 2024, they accounted for 72.5% of the foster care population, a slight decrease from 74% in the previous year. The state's fiscal years run from July to June. This percentage is astonishingly about seven times greater than their representation in the general population.

Child Protection Services Report Highlights

The state Department of Social Services recently released its annual report, shedding light on various aspects of the foster care system. It details the number of children in foster care, their care arrangements, and discharge locations. As of the end of fiscal year 2024, there were 1,710 foster care children in the state, with 1,239 being Native American.Regarding care placements, nearly 30% of children, regardless of race, were placed in kinship care with relatives or close family friends. An impressive 85% were placed in a "family setting" with a foster family. In the latest report, the department added the "kinship care placement" detail as it aims to boost the number of family members or relatives caring for a child instead of placing them in a foster home. Currently, only 11% (89 out of 824) of foster homes are Native American.The department plans to launch a Kinship Licensing Program next year to increase the number of kinship caregivers. Currently, kinship caregivers do not receive the same level of resources and financial support as foster parents unless they become licensed foster parents. This training is extensive, time-consuming, and may not be directly relevant to the kin's situation as they are already familiar with the child.

Benefits of Kinship Care

When children have to be removed from their homes, prioritizing kinship care can have numerous positive impacts. According to Child Trends, a research organization focused on child welfare, it can enhance academic, behavioral, and mental health outcomes. It allows the child to stay within their culture and community, providing a sense of stability and belonging.

Family First Prevention Plan in Development

South Dakota is currently working on its federally mandated, three-year Family First Prevention Plan. This plan aims to use federal funds to pay for prevention services without removing children from at-risk homes. South Dakota is one of the last four states in the nation to create this plan. It shows the state's commitment to addressing the root causes of child welfare issues.

Outcomes of the 2024 Fiscal Year

During the 2024 fiscal year, 1,006 children left the child welfare system. Of these, 493 were reunited with their families. A significant 233 children were adopted, with 58% being adopted by a foster parent and 37% by a relative. Additionally, 63 children were transferred to a tribal program, 65 children aged out of the system, 88 were placed into a formal guardianship agreement, 50 were placed with a relative without guardianship, four were transferred to the Department of Corrections, and six were transferred to another agency. It's important to note that two children ran away and two children died in state care. The report did not provide further details about these incidents, and a request for more information is pending with the Department of Social Services.The department also reported the placement of 241 children in adoptive homes, further highlighting the efforts to find stable homes for these children.

In just 12 months, Australia is set to implement the most stringent social media law globally. This law specifically prohibits users under 16 years old from using social media platforms. In Bay County, Michigan, ABC12 had a conversation with a local high school counselor to understand what is happening with social media in the US. The law passed by the Australian Parliament is the first of its kind and aims to safeguard children from the negative impacts of social media. However, it remains unclear how the country will enforce this law, and some believe that abruptly cutting off young people from social media may pose challenges.

Key Insights from the Australian Social Media Ban

Impact on Young Users

This ban on social media for those under 16 years old will have a significant impact on the lives of young users. It forces them to reevaluate their online activities and find alternative ways to connect and communicate. For example, many teenagers rely on social media to stay connected with friends and share their lives. With this ban in place, they will have to explore other channels, such as face-to-face interactions or traditional forms of communication. This could potentially lead to a decrease in social isolation among young people as they are forced to engage in more real-life interactions.However, it is also important to consider the potential negative consequences. Some young users may feel excluded or left behind if they are unable to use social media. They may miss out on important social and cultural trends that are shared on these platforms. Additionally, it may be difficult for parents and educators to monitor and guide their children's online activities without the help of social media.

Counselor's Perspective

Frank Bergquist, a counselor at Garber High School in Bay County, shares his insights on the social media ban. He believes that it will be interesting to see the data that emerges from this ban and how it can inform the rest of the world about how to handle social media rules. He also emphasizes that a large majority of the issues he sees at school are related to social media. This highlights the importance of addressing social media issues in schools and at home.Although he is not sure if a ban would work in the US, he believes that education is the key. Schools and parents need to work together to educate young people about the safety and risks of social media. This includes teaching them how to protect their personal information, how to handle cyberbullying, and how to use social media responsibly. By providing early education and guidance, we can help young people develop healthy attitudes and behaviors towards social media.

Enforcement Challenges

Enforcing the social media ban in Australia presents several challenges. One of the main issues is how to prevent children under 16 from creating accounts on social media platforms. Platforms would be fined up to $50 million if they fail to prevent these underage users from having accounts. This creates a financial incentive for platforms to take action, but it also requires them to have effective verification and monitoring systems in place.Another challenge is how to deal with existing social media accounts of underage users. Some children may already have accounts before the ban takes effect, and it will be difficult to remove them all. Additionally, there may be issues with cross-border enforcement, as social media platforms operate globally. This requires international cooperation and coordination to ensure that the ban is effectively enforced.In conclusion, the upcoming strictest social media law in Australia is a significant development that will have far-reaching implications. It highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing social media issues, including education, enforcement, and international cooperation. By working together, we can help protect young people from the harms of social media and ensure that they have a safe and healthy online environment.