Indian Child Welfare

NPRM on Indian Child Welfare Data Collection

On February 22, 2024, the Biden Administration announced a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would update the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System to increase data collection on American Indian/Alaska Native children's status and experiences. “Over the years, tribal leaders have consistently advocated for ICWA-related data to be included in AFCARS and

CWLA Comments on Child Welfare Hearing

On October 12, 2023, CWLA submitted comments for the record on the Ways and Means Subcommittee hearing on, “Modernizing Child Welfare to Protect Vulnerable Children.” Our comments explained the history and background of the programs in Title IV-B of the Social Security Act and highlighted a number of key areas of focus for a potential

Child Welfare Hearing on Title IV-B Reauthorization

On Thursday, September 28, 2023, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee held a hearing about Title IV-B of the Social Security Act entitled, “Modernizing Child Welfare to Protect Vulnerable Children.” Title IV-B is a small but important source of funding for child welfare agencies and community-based organizations, and it is due to be reauthorized this

Redressing the Wrongs of History

On July 20, 2023, the Children’s Bureau Learning & Coordination Center hosted a webinar titled “Redressing the Wrongs of History,” which highlighted the ways the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) promotes the well-being of Native children and families in the aftermath of generations of government policies designed to separate them. Host Kimee Wind-Hummingbird of the

Supreme Court Upholds ICWA

On June 14, 2023, the Supreme Court released a decision in Haaland v. Brackeen, upholding the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in a 7-2 decision. ICWA was adopted by Congress in 1978 because of an abusive history by the US government that frequently resulted in the placement of Indian children in boarding

Divided Supreme Court Will Decide the Fate of ICWA

On Wednesday, November 9th, 2022, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Brackeen v. Haaland case about the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). “After more than three hours of oral argument, several justices expressed doubt about specific provisions of the wide-ranging law, even if they did not appear inclined to strike

Protect ICWA Ahead of Supreme Court Decision

On October 27th, CWLA hosted Protect ICWA, a webinar panel to discuss the importance of the Indian Child Welfare Act. This webinar comes shortly before the Supreme Court hears Haaland v. Brackeen, a case seeking to declare ICWA unconstitutional. The case is scheduled for argument on November 9th. Panelists for CWLA’s webinar were Angela Connor

Protect ICWA

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) protects American Indian and Alaska Native children in child welfare proceedings by keeping them in the care of extended family or tribes whenever possible. A fast-approaching challenge to ICWA will be heard by the Supreme Court in Haaland v. Brackeen this November. This case could have far-reaching effects on

Strengthening Tribal Families Act

On Friday, September 23rd, Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA) and Don Bacon (R-NE), along with original cosponsors Representatives Cole (R-OK), Ruiz (D-CA) and Davids (D-KS), introduced the Strengthening Tribal Families Act, legislation designed to assist state and local child welfare agencies with implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), which CWLA has endorsed. ICWA sets federal

Home Visiting Program Reauthorization

On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, the Worker and Family Support Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on “Improving Family Outcomes Through Home Visiting.” Several panelists focused their testimony on the personal stories of families served by programs funded by the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, a federal

Value prop about becoming a member