A New Chapter for Native Children in Foster Care
The launch of Child Bridge’s Native Family Services Program marks a bold and necessary step forward in addressing the unique needs of Native youth in the foster care system. With a clear commitment to culturally competent care, the program will work to recruit Native foster families, equip kinship caregivers, and help non-Native families bridge cultural gaps when caring for Native children.
At the heart of this effort is Sierra Singer, a Crow tribal member and experienced child welfare professional who now leads the program as Child Bridge’s Director of Native Family Services. Singer’s deep roots in her community, along with her work across tribal and federal child welfare systems, position her to lead with authenticity, humility, and strength.
“There are so many strong, resilient families out there who are already doing the work of caregiving,” Singer says. “This program is about showing up, listening, and building on the strengths that already exist in our communities.”
Singer’s first move as director is to conduct a comprehensive gap survey, inviting tribal leaders, elders, caregivers, and families to speak into what they need. This kind of partnership— collaborative and community-first — is how trust is built and sustained.
“Child Bridge could really help (Native kinship) families like ours by providing some informative training that can help support and guide us through this,” one Crow tribal member said.
Child Bridge’s vision is simple yet bold: a family for every child. And for Native children, that family should be able to keep them connected to their culture. Safety remains the number one priority in every child’s case, but Sierra’s hope for this new program is to equip both Native and non-Native foster/kinship families to preserve these kids’ roots — their stories, their language, their songs and their ceremonies.
Because cultural connection is more than a benefit — it’s a lifeline.
The media is invited to connect with Mary Cloud Vander Ark to learn more about the Native Families Initiative and upcoming projects related to this mission.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Mary Cloud Vander Ark
Communications Specialist, Child Bridge
Mcvanderark@childbridgemontana.org
(662) 614-6920
A New Chapter for Native Children in Foster Care
The launch of Child Bridge’s Native Family Services Program marks a bold and necessary step forward in addressing the unique needs of Native youth in the foster care system. With a clear commitment to culturally competent care, the program will work to recruit Native foster families, equip kinship caregivers, and help non-Native families bridge cultural gaps when caring for Native children.
At the heart of this effort is Sierra Singer, a Crow tribal member and experienced child welfare professional who now leads the program as Child Bridge’s Director of Native Family Services. Singer’s deep roots in her community, along with her work across tribal and federal child welfare systems, position her to lead with authenticity, humility, and strength.
“There are so many strong, resilient families out there who are already doing the work of caregiving,” Singer says. “This program is about showing up, listening, and building on the strengths that already exist in our communities.”
Singer’s first move as director is to conduct a comprehensive gap survey, inviting tribal leaders, elders, caregivers, and families to speak into what they need. This kind of partnership— collaborative and community-first — is how trust is built and sustained.
“Child Bridge could really help (Native kinship) families like ours by providing some informative training that can help support and guide us through this,” one Crow tribal member said.
Child Bridge’s vision is simple yet bold: a family for every child. And for Native children, that family should be able to keep them connected to their culture. Safety remains the number one priority in every child’s case, but Sierra’s hope for this new program is to equip both Native and non-Native foster/kinship families to preserve these kids’ roots — their stories, their language, their songs and their ceremonies.
Because cultural connection is more than a benefit — it’s a lifeline.
The media is invited to connect with Mary Cloud Vander Ark to learn more about the Native Families Initiative and upcoming projects related to this mission.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Mary Cloud Vander Ark
Communications Specialist, Child Bridge
Mcvanderark@childbridgemontana.org
(662) 614-6920