California bill would provide support services to Native American families, reduce foster care

**California Legislature Passes Bipartisan Bill to Support Native American Families and Prevent Foster Care Placements**

SACRAMENTO — A bipartisan bill aimed at ensuring Native American children and families receive culturally appropriate support services to prevent foster care placements passed the California Legislature last week. If signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Bill 1378 (AB 1378) would amend state law to allow tribes and tribal organizations to partner directly with the California Department of Social Services, providing services designed to keep children safely at home and out of foster care.

Currently, while tribes and tribal organizations can access foster care, adoption, and guardianship services, most preventive services—such as legal assistance and family counseling—are only available through nontribal organizations. These organizations often lack the cultural competence necessary to respect each tribe’s unique practices and sovereignty.

AB 1378 seeks to change that by granting tribes and tribal organizations the ability to receive direct services and funding without going through an intermediary. The legislation comes in response to the disproportionate rates at which tribal children enter foster care.

“Native American children in California are placed in foster care at about four times the rate of other children,” said Assemblymember Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa), the bill’s author. Multiple factors contribute to this overrepresentation, including poverty, substance use disorders, historical trauma, systemic bias, and bureaucratic hurdles that make it difficult for tribes to access preventive services.

“When we invest in culturally appropriate services, we strengthen families and avoid the trauma of separation,” Rogers added. “AB 1378 will ensure tribes can directly access the same prevention program funding that is available to counties and other service providers. This is a critical step toward equity and better outcomes for tribal youth.”

The bill was co-authored by several legislators, including Bay Area Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) and Patrick Ahern (D-Sunnyvale), as well as Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park).

**Expanded Services for Tribal Families**

AB 1378 would improve tribal access to a range of services, including mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and parenting education. It would also provide funding for legal representation, ensuring that families and children receive appropriate counsel in court.

In addition, tribes could receive capacity-building support to establish prevention programs, train social workers, and obtain technical assistance for data collection and reporting.

Gov. Newsom has until October 13 to sign AB 1378 into law.

*This story was originally published by The Mendocino Voice and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.*
https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2025/09/18/california-bill-native-american-support-services/