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Indian Child Welfare. “ Let us put our minds together and see what kind of life we can make for our children.” Sitting Bull Hunkpapa Lakota Chief. Identifying Indian Children. Inquiry into child’s Indian status (intake to case closure) Family Ancestry Chart
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Indian Child Welfare “Let us put our minds together and see what kind of life we can make for our children.” Sitting Bull Hunkpapa Lakota Chief
Identifying Indian Children • Inquiry into child’s Indian status (intake to case closure) • Family Ancestry Chart • Inquiry to Tribe/Band/Nation (Certified - Return Receipt mail)
Definition of Indian child Federal ICWA defines an Indian child as: a person under the age of 18 who is the biological child of a member of a federally recognized tribe and who is also eligible for enrollment or membership in the tribe. Washington State definition includes: • Canadian Indian children, • Indian children who are members of tribes not federally recognized • Children whose tribe recognizes them as member of the community but cannot be enrolled based on the given tribes enrollment criteria.
Advocacy: counseling, treatment, housing, financial assistance Setting up and confirming appointments Providing transportation Involving extended family and cultural resources Maintaining contact and consultation with tribes and organizations What are “Active Efforts”?
A member of child’s extended family. A foster family of the same tribe as the child. An Indian foster family licensed by DCFS or a private agency. An institution operated by an Indian tribe or organization suitable to meet the child’s needs. Important note: Tribes need to be notified within 24 hours of a child’s placement. If the tribe is unavailable or makes a request -Placements in a non-Indian home require a LICWAC staffing as soon as possible. Tribes may make recommendations outside of the ICWA placement preferences; CA staff should make best efforts to support these recommendations or clarify why they do not agree or cannot follow the tribal recommendations Placement Preferences
Full jurisdiction by tribe Tribe as legal party to the case Case consultation with tribe No involvement by the tribe Tribal Involvement with Case Planning
Is the child Indian? What do you do first? After completing the Ancestry Chart, what forms do you send to the tribe? What do you do if parents do not want the tribe to be contacted? What “diligent efforts” do you make to adhere to placement preferences? When would you request a LICWAC staffing? Putting Together ICW Policy
Poverty Racism, Oppression and Discrimination Grief Reactions The Reservation Experience Tribal/ Community Dynamics Substance Abuse What “active efforts” would you make? Cultural Factors Affecting Practice