52-2-117. Indian child welfare specialist. (1) The director of the department shall appoint a qualified person to act as an Indian child welfare specialist.

(2) The duties of the specialist include:

(a) developing Indian foster homes and other Indian placement resources;

(b) providing technical advice to tribal, state, and county agencies and district courts on matters pertaining to Indian child welfare;

(c) providing assistance in negotiating cooperative agreements to provide foster care services to Indian children;

(d) conducting training seminars on implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1901, et seq.);

(e) applying for and accepting grants and other funds for Indian child welfare activities;

(f) developing and maintaining a list of attorneys to represent indigent parents and Indian custodians in Indian child welfare proceedings;

(g) making recommendations to the department on legislation and rules concerning Indian child welfare matters; and

(h) performing other duties concerning Indian child welfare matters as determined by the director.