The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) promotes best child welfare practice by requiring that child welfare agencies provide proper notice to tribes and active efforts to preserve family and community ties before a child who is a member of a federally recognized tribe can be brought into custody. The law sets forth requirements for how tribes, child welfare agencies, and courts work together to address the safety, security, and stability of the child, family and tribe. When necessary, ICWA outlines how states and tribes work together to make a determination regarding removal and placement of the child. In this way, the law is consistent with best practice principles described in CWLA Child Welfare Standard of Excellence, which place emphasis on the role of kin and community in strengthening families.

• Indian Child Welfare Act (1978, P.L 95-608)
• Tribal Title IV-E

• CWLA Statement: Supreme Court Decision in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl
• Adoptive Family vs. Baby Girl Supreme Court Amicus Brief: CWLA and 18 Child Welfare organizations Respond to ICWA Challenge
• CWLA comments on the interim final rule for the implementation of Title III of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (3/6/12)
• CWLA Comments Submitted to HHS in regards to Title IV-E and Indian Child Welfare (5/12/2009)
• CWLA Testimony Submitted before the Senate Committee on Finance for the Hearing on Keeping America’s Promise: Health Care and Child Welfare Services for Native Americans (3/22/2007)