ICWA
INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT
From the BIA: The purpose of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is “…to protect the best interest of Indian Children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families by the establishment of minimum Federal standards for the removal of Indian children and placement of such children in homes which will reflect the unique values of Indian culture… “(25 U.S. C. 1902). ICWA provides guidance to States regarding the handling of child abuse and neglect and adoption cases involving Native children and sets minimum standards for the handling of these cases.
The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah offers ICWA services, coordinating care, referrals, and more.
If you have any questions or require assistance regarding the welfare of a Native American child, please contact our Family Advocacy Coordinator, Tamra Borchardt-Slayton at 435.586.1112, ext 3201, or ICWA@pitu.gov
For more information on specific Family Services, click the button below.
Want to foster a child?
Tribal members are our best hope for finding, training, and supporting Native families to care for Native children in state care. We need Native families across the state in order to ensure that children removed from abusive or neglectful situations remain close to their family, friends, and support networks—and it’s tribal members who can encourage these folks to consider fostering children in their homes.
For more information, click here.
ICWA Federal and State Status
On June 15th, 2023, the United States Supreme Court explicitly left the Indian Child Welfare law intact! The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah celebrates this ruling and acknowledges this monumental victory for Tribes and Indian Country.
Following the Supreme Court ruling, various Utah legislators have attempted to codify ICWA into Utah law via the state legislative process, including the proposal of Native American Child and Family Amendments (HB 40) in 2023 and the Indian Family Preservation Act (HB 30) in 2024. The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah worked closely with legislators and stakeholders in the development of this legislation. To read more information on the Indian Family Preservation Act, click here.
Unfortunately, neither HB 30 nor HB 40 made it to a full House vote; however, PITU Tribal Council members and staff members will continue to work with Utah legislators in these important endeavors.
You can find your state representatives here and urge them to pass an ICWA bill here.
For more information, click the buttons below