Supporting Indigenous youth, their parents, and communities continues to challenge school districts and the school psychologists who serve them. In this article, the authors suggest that understanding Indigenous sovereignty and identity will contribute to enhancing that interface, and to advocating on behalf of those students and their…

Nationally, families of color--particularly African American and American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN)--are over-represented in child welfare systems. These families also tend to have worse outcomes--such as children more likely to be removed from their homes, less likely to receive family preservation services, and in the case of African…

In 1978 Congress passed an astonishing piece of legislation that gave Native American tribes a considerable amount of jurisdiction over matters of child custody and the adoption of their children. In 1976, the Association of American Indian Affairs gathered statistics relevant to the adoption of Indian children that Congress found "shocking…

The controversies in adoption have extended across a spectrum of policy and practice issues, and although the issues have become clear, resolution has not been achieved nor has consensus developed regarding a framework on which to improve the quality of adoption policy and practice. This book is the first in a series to use an ethics-based…

Describes a collaboration among a university, a state child welfare agency, and a Native American community organization to develop a culturally driven practice model for urban, Native American child welfare. Identifies challenges and opportunities in addressing the needs of urban Native American communities. Concludes with principles for…

Reviews the evolution of U.S. adoption law since 1851. Recounts changes in the perceived "best interests" of all members of the adoption triad over time, and growing recognition of links between adoption and child welfare policy. Discusses current controversies including open adoption, birth parents' rights, unmarried fathers, and the…

Examined views of urban American Indian parents regarding foster care and American Indian family issues. Addressed themes of: (1) discouragement from working within foster care system; (2) role of culture in caregiving; (3) differing definitions of family; and (4) effects of historical pain due to past family disruption. Formulated guidelines for…

The annotated sourcebook provides 51 journals and publication citations for individuals seeking to learn or to teach others about cultural issues in social work practice with American Indians and about the Indian Child Welfare Act. The citations, which date from 1969-1984, are divided into four sections pertaining to family/cultural issues in…

Written for social service workers involved with Indian child welfare cases in which adoption through a state court is being considered, this manual presents basic information about the requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) in cases of Indian adoption. Background material explains that the ICWA--intended to establish…

A training manual, intended to foster cooperative, coordinated approaches to resolving Indian child welfare cases, uses the case study approach to help tribal social service and court workers recognize strengths of American Indian and Alaska Native families. The first chapter covers primary aspects and needs of children of all cultures, from…