Children caught up in the foster care system often become separated from their background and identity, according to Arizona’s Children. It is not possible to find a foster family with the race, religious and cultural background that matches up with every child.

Language is another issue, particularly in the Yuma area. Candy Espino, program supervisor for Arizona’s Children, said they have participation from Hispanic foster families but the safest home for a child may not be one where their first language is spoken.

“You have to take into consideration that there are children who are Spanish-speaking only. Or the child may speak English, but only a Spanish family is available,” said Espino.

Statewide, 34 percent of the children in foster care are Hispanic, 44 percent are white, 12 percent are black, 1 percent are Asian and 3 percent are identified as "other."

Seven percent of the children placed in foster care in Arizona are of American Indian ethnicity. When it comes to tribal children, there are additional federal regulations that have to be abided by when placing a child in foster care.

Margarita Rubalcaba works in family preservation for Quechan Social Services. She said she has been working with foster care for 10 years. She has to navigate California, Arizona and tribal law to try to do what’s best for Quechan children.

“The main thing is, we want to work together for the betterment of the child. We never want a child to forget their roots and where they come from.”

Rubalcaba said tribal social services tries to place kids with relatives whenever possible. Failing that, they seek out foster families on the reservation.

Quechan President Mike Jackson said one of the most important tools in keeping foster children within the tribe is the Indian Child Welfare Act.

According to Title 25 of the United States Code of Law, the Indian Child Welfare Act requires that placement cases involving American Indian children be heard in tribal courts if possible, and permits a child’s tribe to be involved in state court proceedings. It requires testimony from expert witnesses who are familiar with tribal culture before a child can be removed from their home.

If a child is removed, either for foster care or adoption, the law requires that American Indian children be placed with extended family members, other tribal members or other American Indian families when possible.

Jackson said it is sometimes difficult to make certain that the court takes the Indian Child Welfare Act into account when dealing with American Indian children.

“A lot of times state courts don’t understand ICWA,” Jackson said. “Ultimately, it’s up to the child, when they get old enough, if they’re going to stay with their culture or tradition. But until then, we want them back.”

The Cocopah Tribe has gone beyond looking for individual foster families. According to Pratt, the tribe has built a “youth home” for Cocopah foster children who have nowhere else to go.

The youth home will serve as a temporary place for children in the tribe who might otherwise have to leave the area.

“If they were displaced from their home, it brings them closer to their families and their friends,” Pratt said. “It helps them acclimate back to the area, and they’re able to be involved with cultural activities.”

Pratt said the Cocopah Tribe tentatively plans to open the youth home this year. She said they do not yet know how many children it will be able to house at a given time.

The Quechan Tribe is looking into setting up its own youth home. Jackson said it would be a priority for the tribal council in the coming months.

“The youth home is a relatively new concept for tribes,” Pratt said. “It was created with the hope to ease the healing process for the children and eventually reunite them with their families.”


Smith said many potential parents are afraid they aren’t up for the challenge of being a foster parent. Statistically, only six out of every 100 people who express an interest in being certified will finish the process.

Karie Pettus said she watched people going through the process back out.

“The pre-service training that you go through is so informative and it really helps you decide if you can handle it or not,” she said. “You hear the stories of the kids and you can’t turn them away. How can you not provide a safe home?”

Espino said there is a misconception that CPS just drops children onto foster families without offering any support. This, she said, is not true. Foster parents receive medical and other necessary care through Arizona’s Children and other such agencies.

Karie Pettus said they are in contact with a network of foster families through Arizona’s Children. They take part in fundraisers and provide each other with support and shared experiences.

“Even if you have a kid for two weeks, the impact that you have on their life is huge,” she said.

“You give the kids a safe home when they need it,” Randy Pettus added. “That’s what foster children need at that point in their life.”

Sarah Reynolds can be reached at sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.

RANDY PETTUS and his wife, Karie, read to their adopted daughter, Maggie, Wednesday afternoon. The Pettuses began as a foster care family but Maggie won their hearts and they went through the adoption process. PHOTO BY TERRY KETRON/T

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