Kansas
Kansas lawmaker urges more protections for Native American children in state welfare system – Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Rep. Christina Haswood, a Lawrence Democrat and member of the Navajo Nation, wants to solidify indigenous rights in the state’s child welfare system, attempting to reduce inequality in a system long beset by racial and cultural disparities.
Her attempt would implement a state version of the Indian Child Welfare Act. The federal law, passed in 1978, is meant to keep Native American children with Native American families.
The federal act passed in response to Native American children taken from their families and placed in non-indigenous households. Native children are still disproportionately represented in foster care and face long stays in foster care locally and federally.
On a federal level, President Joe Biden’s health administration has set forward a proposed rule change that would require states to provide more data in child welfare cases related to the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Haswood is asking for requirements for custody proceedings involving Native American children. House Bill 2772 would give a child’s Indian tribe jurisdiction over proceedings and require courts to seek placement of a Native American child with the tribe.
Haswood estimated 17 states, including Oklahoma, Colorado and Nebraska, have a state-specific ICWA. The federal ICWA was a response to historical wrongs, such as the federal government’s long-lasting campaign to forcibly remove native children from their homes and assimilate them into white mainstream culture through white adoptive families and boarding schools.
State versions of the act seek to add more protections, especially in the wake of legal challenges to the federal law.
“HB2772’s purpose is not to change much but to make sure ICWA has a home in our state statutes,” Haswood said during a Feb. 19 bill hearing.
“We want to ensure every native child who faces these unfortunate circumstances knows there is a system that is fighting for their right to culture and heritage,” Haswood said.
Other sections of the bill, inspired by Nebraska’s ICWA, would require state courts to declare standards for proceedings involving an Indian child. The state courts also would be required to provide notice of the proceedings.
A 2021 state audit of foster care cases found Native American children were approximately 25% less likely to reunify with their parents and more likely to transfer to another agency than white children. Black and Native American children in Kansas were more likely to reach emancipation age relative to white children in foster care.
The Kansas Department for Children and Families was neutral on HB2772 but emphasized state support of tribal relations.
“DCF recognizes the continuing and compelling governmental interest of sovereign tribal nations in their children,” state testimony read. “The department supports the federal policy underlying ICWA to protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and Indian families by establishing minimum federal standards to prevent arbitrary and unnecessary removal of Indian children from their families and tribes.”
Several lawyers disagreed with the legislation, asking for more time and thought to be placed into the matter. Scott Nehrbass, a member of the Cherokee Nation and partner at Foulston Siefkin law firm, said legal efforts are already underway to create a uniform state ICWA.
“Kansas should not go out on a limb and get out ahead of these efforts,” Nehrbass said. “Let the legal experts first do their work and come up with a well-considered and thoroughly vetted piece of uniform legislation for our legislators to adopt, before adding a Kansas state law to the federal ICWA statute and regulations that already occupy this field. We need to avoid conflict with the existing federal ICWA statute, regulations, and case law and not create uncertainty in the law.”
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The NASCAR Cup Series is coming back to the Kansas Speedway on Sunday, and ahead of the Advent Health 400, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. paid a visit to Dillons in North Topeka on Friday afternoon.
The NASCAR racer and 2023 Daytona 500 Champion signed autographs, watched some fan races, showed off his car, and much more to get fans in attendance excited for Sunday’s race.
”We come to Kansas twice a year. I love the racetrack here at Kansas. It’s been a while since we won here, we won back in 2012. But it’s always a racetrack that I enjoy coming to,” Stenhouse told 13 News. “Our job gets serious tomorrow, once we get on track for practice and qualifying, and then obviously the race on Sunday. Yeah we had perfect weather for today’s event, and had a great turnout.”
Even the Topeka High Marching Band stopped by to play some tunes for the crowd.
Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Kansas Department of Insurance is offering assistance to victims of the Westmoreland tornado.
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and staff from the Kansas Department of Insurance visited Westmoreland to assist those impacted by the EF3 tornado that struck the town on Tuesday, April 30. They assisted with insurance claim questions, concerns and complaints.
“As residents and communities focus on the long-term recovery, the Kansas Department of Insurance stands ready to assist wherever possible,” said Commissioner Schmidt. “I encourage all Kansans who have experienced property damage from recent storms to call the Department if you have questions about your insurance claim or if you encounter insurance-related problems along the way.”
Commissioner Schmidt and key staff visited the site of the Westmoreland tornado on Friday, May 3, to provide on-site assistance with residents who may need help with their insurance. Schmidt visited with residents and provided information on the resources available through the Department.
Kansas Department of Insurance noted this storm season, if you or someone you know is having trouble with an insurance claim, please contact the Kansas Department of Insurance’s Consumer Assistance Division toll-free at 1-800-432-2484, by email at KDOI.Complaints@ks.gov or online at insurance.kansas.gov for any claims-related questions or concerns.
Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.
After a failed vote to build a downtown Kansas City Royals stadium, another of the city’s professional sports teams is planning to expand with a mixed-used entertainment district.
The Kansas City Current, the city’s National Women’s Soccer League team, will add a retail, restaurant and multifamily district to its recently opened stadium. The first phase will include $200 million in private funding and will begin construction in late 2024 with expected completion in 2026 ahead of the World Cup that year, when Kansas City is one of the North American host cities.
All phases of development will cost roughly $800 million, according to the team. In August 2023, economic development agency the Port Authority of Kansas City approved up to $800 million in bonds for the project.
The $117 million stadium opened in March and is the first stadium built specifically for a women’s team in the US, according to the team. It sits just north of the city’s downtown, on the Berkley Riverfront District along the Missouri River. The entertainment district will be developed by the Current and Marquee Development. The team’s owners, Angie and Chris Long, founder of Kansas City-based Palmer Square Capital Management, purchased the team in 2020. They’re co-owners with Brittany and Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback of the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs.
“With the next phase of our investment in Berkley Riverfront Park, our goal is to reconnect Kansas Citians to their riverfront, bringing even more energy and activity to the water,” Angie Long said in a statement. “We believe this foundational investment will benefit our community for years to come and cement the Berkley Riverfront as one of Kansas City’s great neighborhoods for residents and visitors alike.”
The 2 million-square-foot project will have restaurants, retail, entertainment and over 1,000 apartments, with 10% of units set aside for affordable housing. It will also include a riverfront walkway and 200,000 square feet of office development.
The announcement follows the resounding April 2 defeat of a $2 billion measure to build a new downtown Royals stadium and updates to the Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium.
Photo: CPKC Stadium, home to the Kansas City Current, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
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