Currently, there are only 10 foster homes in the community and we are looking for more foster homes that are sensitive to children's care and cultural needs.
Arizona, USA — Organized toys next to the high chair in the main living space, clean and ready for use. The bed in the bedroom is made and the room is filled with stuffed animals. The house is clean and full of five children, who are cared for by Stephanie and Tim Linklater.
It is an expression of extraordinary kindness. But there's a problem. There just aren't enough people like the Linklaters. There are only 10 people like them so far.
That's the number of people allowed to adopt. Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community.
There continues to be a shortage of foster parents in the United States. But meeting that need is more difficult, said Norma Hernandez, license manager for the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community.
About 100 children from the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community are currently being housed outside their homes, Hernandez said.
“Unfortunately, half of those children are within the United States. But we're lucky to have those families. They're not Native American,” Hernandez said. “That's why we want to recruit other Native American families living in the continental United States who are open and willing to support Native American tribes.”
Hernandez said she is raising nearly 30 children in kinship facilities, but more foster homes are needed.
Hernandez said she hopes 25 more families will become licensed foster parents through the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. Specifically, we are looking for families who are sensitive to the cultural needs of children in foster care.
“He's someone who is motivated to learn languages,” Hernandez said. “We provide so many resources to help non-native families teach their children basics like colors, numbers, and how to say hello. Children's Meals We need families who are sensitive to how to do things.”
Stephanie and Tim Linklater became foster parents through the community after seeking adoption several years ago.
“We looked at, you know, the reservation, where I'm from. And we learned about foster care to the tribe,” said a member of the Gila River Indian Community who is registered and affiliated with the Gila River Indian Community. said Stephanie Linklater.
The Linklaters said they placed about 20 children in respite and 10 children in their home during their time as foster parents. Respite placement is when a foster parent temporarily cares for a child for the primary foster parent.
“One of the greatest things we were able to experience was being able to see the changes that occur in the children,” Tim said.
The Linklaters actually adopted their own son during their time as foster parents. But they continued to recognize the need and continued to cultivate it.
“This generation, this kids, this culture is being lost…and I'm very passionate about this. We need to restore it,” Stephanie said. Just as they lose their culture, we also lose our culture when we experience trauma or situations beyond our control. ”
Resources and events through the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community program are part of what the Linklaters have incorporated with the foster children they commission.
“I'm going to show them things that I know and things that I didn't know we were going to learn together,” Stephanie Linklater said. I know all these programs and elders are coming and teaching us our language. ”
Still, they know more children need families.
“If you feel the need, you're probably called to join us and be a part of our family,” Stephanie Linklater said.
“You can do it,” Tim Linklater said. “Everything you think is the reason you can’t do it, even if you think you don’t have the resources or the time or the means to do it, you can do it. There are people out there who will work with you to make that happen. ”
Anyone who feels called to find their next step can email License Manager Norma Hernandez at norma.hernandez2@srpmic-nsn.gov or call 480-362-5645. Start with orientation. Hernandez said the process continues from there with paperwork, background checks, classes to complete and home study before getting a license.
“Each family can make a difference,” Hernandez said.
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