DECEMBER 18, 2018 – THE INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT AND BEST PRACTICES FOR ATTORNEYS

Within the child welfare world, research has demonstrated the following truths: 1. Removing a child from their home, even when necessary, is generally traumatic for the child; 2. Kinship and community placements help reduce the degree of trauma felt by the child; 3. Reunification must remain the primary focus unless and until every effort has been made and it has been deemed impossible. Best practice recommendations for child representatives, parent representatives, social workers, CASAs, and GALs incorporate this knowledge, but there is also a federal law (the Indian Child Welfare Act) that requires efforts with a certain population that mirror the latest research. This session will review the law and show which legal elements meet both legal and best practices requirements.

FACULTY:
Victoria Sweet (Anishinaabe), JD, MA, Assistant Director, Tribal Law and Justice Counseling, The Whitener Group

MODERATOR:
Ansley Sherman (Muscogee (Creek)), Program Attorney, National American Indian Court Judges Association