INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT HANDBOOK

In 1978, Congress enacted the Indian Child Welfare Act to address the systemic problems facing Native American tribes and families concerning their children; the act set out procedures for notice to tribes and families in cases of adoption, foster placement, dependency and neglect proceedings against parents, and other situations where parental rights of Native Americans were at risk.

The Family Law Section of the American Bar Association has published "The Indian Child Welfare Act Handbook" to help practitioners, social workers, counselors and other professionals involved with Native American children understand the requirements of the Act.

The handbook provides an analysis of the Act, and describes the history of the Act. It highlights jurisdictional provisions, outlines the procedural requirements, and explains the placement provisions. The handbook also evaluates the successes and failures of the Act. The appendices include tribal addresses of federally recognized tribes, a list of Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Social Services areas, a checklist for adoption clearance, and form motions.


The author of the handbook is B.J. Jones, the Litigation Director for Dakota Plains Legal Services. Dakota Plains Legal Services is a non-profit corporation set up under the aegis of the indigent residents of eight Sioux Indian reservations in North and South Dakota and adjoining counties. Mr. Jones has represented tribes, Indian children, and Indian parents in hundreds of cases involving the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The handbook is available for $69.95 ($59.95 for ABA Family Law Section members) plus handling. Orders may be mailed to the American Bar Association, Publication Orders, P.O. Box 10892, Chicago, IL 60610-0892; orders may also be faxed to 312-988-5522. The order number for the Indian Child Welfare Act Handbook is 5130067.