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the money for Indian children," she added.
• The summit has been two years in the making and was first brought up following a three-part report by National Public Radio in 2011. The report, which was based on an analysis of state records, said a disproportionate number of Native American children removed from their homes in South Dakota each year are sent to foster care in non-Indian homes or group homes. The report also claimed that Native American children are placed in South Dakota's foster care system at a disproportionate rate.
• State officials have called the NPR stories inaccurate, unfair and biased. However, they acknowledged a disproportionate number of Native American children are involved in the child welfare system because the state receives more referrals for alleged abuse and neglect involving them.
• Following the report, six congressmen -- including Democrats and Republicans -- asked the Department of Interior to investigate the alleged violations made in the NPR report and find out what the Bureau of Indian Affairs intended to do if the violations were found to be true.
• The BIA said it was planning a summit to address the allegations but due to various issues, including the resignation of Washburn's predecessor, it never occurred last year.
• Kristin Kellar, spokeswoman for the South Dakota Department of Social Services, said the federal government only notified the agency last week, so DSS officials will not be attending the summit.
• Kellar said children can only be removed by a law enforcement officer or through a court order when there is a concern over the safety of a child. She said the agency fully complies with ICWA.
• "When finding placements for children, DSS first looks to relative and kinship options," she said in an email. "Included in this effort are staff members who locate relatives as their main job responsibility."
• Federal officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Justice, tribal and state judges and representatives from tribes in South Dakota Oklahoma, Washington and Minnesota also were expected to attend.
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• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Sioux Falls police are investigating a break-in at Lincoln High School, where thieves reportedly smashed a trophy case and stole three state basketball championship trophies.

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