In California, Native American children are placed in foster care at nearly four times the rate of other children, according to the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office.
For many, this is more than just a statistic—it reflects decades of broken families, government overreach, and systems that have too often failed to respect cultural traditions and family bonds.
To address this issue, the California Legislature has passed AB 1378, a bipartisan bill focused on strengthening Native families and preventing unnecessary foster care placements.
Governor Gavin Newsom has until October 13 to decide whether to sign it into law.
Protecting Families First
The foster care system is meant to protect children in dangerous situations. But too often, families are separated not because of abuse, but because parents are struggling with poverty, substance use, or other challenges.
For Native American families, those struggles are compounded by historical trauma, systemic bias, and red tape that makes it harder for tribes to access preventive services.
AB 1378 takes a family-first approach. Instead of removing children from their homes, the bill would provide tribes with direct access to the same prevention funds that counties already receive.
That means more opportunities to solve problems early and keep families together.
“When we invest in culturally appropriate services, we strengthen families and avoid the trauma of separation,” said Assemblymember James C. Ramos, the bill’s author.
“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.”
Supporters argue that government should never be in the business of separating families unless children are truly in danger. Strong families, not state agencies, are the foundation of a healthy society.
Empowering Local Communities
A key feature of AB 1378 is that it shifts resources away from state bureaucracy and into the hands of local tribes.
Tribes would be able to design their own solutions—rooted in their culture, values, and traditions—rather than relying on one-size-fits-all programs designed by the state.
This empowerment includes:
- Access to mental health services tailored to community needs.
- Substance abuse treatment programs that strengthen families rather than punish them.
- Parenting education to equip moms and dads with tools to succeed.
- Legal representation so families aren’t navigating the courts alone.
- Support for capacity-building, helping tribes establish their own preventive programs, train social workers, and manage data effectively.
For conservatives who value limited government and strong families, this bill represents a shift in the right direction: moving decision-making closer to the people most affected and focusing on preserving family unity.
Bipartisan Cooperation
AB 1378 was authored by Ramos, the first and only Native American serving in the Legislature, and co-authored by Bay Area Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), Patrick Ahrens (D-Sunnyvale), and Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park).
The fact that lawmakers from different parts of the political spectrum came together on this bill shows that protecting children and families is not a partisan issue.
Breaking Harmful Cycles
Generations of Native families have lived with the consequences of government policies that removed children from their homes, whether through boarding schools in the past or disproportionate foster care placements today. Supporters of AB 1378 say it’s time to stop repeating those mistakes.
By equipping tribes to provide services directly, the bill helps ensure children grow up in safe, stable, and culturally affirming homes. It also reduces the role of state agencies in breaking up families unnecessarily.
Looking Ahead
Governor Newsom must decide by October 13 whether to sign the bill. For many Native families, the stakes are high.
AB 1378 represents an opportunity to put family preservation first, return decision-making to local communities, and ensure children are raised with the values and traditions that make them strong.
Family is the cornerstone of any community. Government should not be in the business of separating families—it should be empowering them to succeed.
This bill acknowledges that fact and gives Native families a better chance to stay together—something both sides of the political aisle can agree is worth fighting for.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
