What’s the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)?
If you are a member of an Indian tribe or believe that you may be eligible for membership in a tribe, you will want to be familiar with the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). If you have questions or concerns about how ICWA relates to your situation, talk with your Youth Attorney. Prior to the passage of ICWA, several studies found that Indian children were being removed from their homes and placed in foster and adoptive placements at rates far higher than non-Indian children and that the majority of these adoptions were in non-Indian homes. In 1978 the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was enacted to protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families. ICWA respects the sovereignty status of tribal governments and their ability to govern and protect the health, safety and welfare of tribal citizens.
