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Choctaw Nation Foster Care fights child abuse

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Choctaw Nation employees tie 227 blue ribbons to trees at the Choctaw Nation Headquarters in Durant Monday, March 26. The ribbons represent the number of Choctaw children in foster care in southeastern Oklahoma. Photo by Kendra Germany, Choctaw Nation.

Choctaw Nation

DURANT – The Choctaw Nation has started early to bring attention to Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

News presented by First United Bank.

“We want people to be aware of the Choctaw Nation’s Foster Care Program,” Indian Child Welfare Worker Amber Scott said. “Child abuse prevention and foster care are things that go hand-in-hand.”

She also noted that good foster homes are often the solution for children in an abusive situation.

To help make people aware of the issue, 227 blue ribbons were tied to trees at the entrance of the Choctaw Nation Headquarters in Durant by employees on Monday.

“These ribbons are representative of the 227 Choctaw children currently in foster care in the 10½ counties of the Choctaw Nation,” Scott said.

The blue ribbon is a national symbol recognizing the month ahead. To give everyone a chance to help raise awareness, the Choctaw Nation’s Children and Family Services Department asks that everyone wear blue on Friday, April 6.

For information on other upcoming activities in April, contact the Choctaw Nation Indian Child Welfare Program at 580-924-8280 Ext. 2643, 800-522-6170 or  www.choctawnation.com.

The State of Oklahoma Department of Human Services also offers a Hotline to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect, 800-522-3511.

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