#ICWA challenges, children at risk

Preliminary Report on from California’s ICWA Compliance Task Force

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Kate Fort

Prelim Final – CA ICWA TF Report 6.10.2016

Press Release

SACRAMENTO – Insufficient services, severe underfunding, barriers preventing tribal participation and inadequate reunification efforts have undermined the effectiveness and promise of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in California, according to a preliminary report from a Task Force of tribal leaders from across the state, working independently to apprise the California’s Attorney General’s Bureau of Children’s Justice of these inadequacies.
The ICWA Compliance Task Force’s report recognizes that efforts have been undertaken to overcome cultural, procedural and funding challenges, but these ongoing obstacles continue to severely limit the implementation of ICWA in California, resulting in devastating impacts to Indian children, their families and their tribes.