Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978

P.L. 95-608

For the text of the Act visit the Web site of the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA):
www.nicwa.org/policy/law/icwa/index.asp

For a discussion on practice issues visit:
www.abanet.org/genpractice/lawyer/complete/f95child.html

For the California judges ICWA bench guide visit:
http://calindian.org/icwa.htm

Reasons Bill Initiated

* Advocates called attention to the fact that State courts were removing a high proportion of Indian children from their families and tribes and placing them in non-Indian environments.
* In some States, as many as 25%-35% of Indian children were being placed in foster care; 85% of those children were placed in non-Indian homes.
* There was a growing concern that these children were losing their Indian culture and heritage.
* The State court systems did not take into consideration the tribal relations of Indian people and the cultural and social standards of Indian communities.

Objectives/Goals

* To protect the best interests of Indian children and families.
* To promote the stability and security of Indian families.
* To establish minimum Federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their homes and for the placement of Indian children in homes that reflect the values of Indian culture.
* To raise the standards for termination of parental rights of Indian parents.
* To recognize and strengthen the role of Tribal governments in determining child custody issues.

Services Provided/Measures Taken

* Established minimum Federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families.
* Required Indian children to be placed in foster or adoptive homes that reflect Indian culture.
* Provided for assistance to tribes in the operation of child and family service programs.
* Created exclusive tribal jurisdiction over all Indian child custody proceedings when requested by tribe, parent, or Indian "custodian."
* Granted preference to Indian family environments in adoptive or foster care placement.
* Provided funds to tribes or non-profit off-reservation Indian organizations or multi-service centers for purpose of improving child welfare services to Indian children and families.
* Required State and Federal courts to give full faith and credit to tribal court decrees.
* Set a beyond a reasonable doubt standard of proof for terminating Indian parents' parental rights.

Credits: National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information