ICWA Committee

Mission

Congress enacted the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. §§ 1901–1963) in response to decades of removal of Native children from their families and tribes by state child-welfare and adoption systems. ICWA establishes minimum federal standards for state-court proceedings involving the foster placement or termination of parental rights for Indian children, and affirms the right of tribes to participate in those proceedings. The CVMT ICWA Committee carries out the tribe's responsibilities under the Act and under the related California state law that strengthens its protections.

Key Responsibilities

• Notice response. Receive and respond to ICWA notices from state courts, counties, and child-welfare agencies regarding cases that may involve a California Valley Miwok child.
• Citizenship verification. Coordinate with the Enrollment Committee to determine whether a child involved in a state proceeding is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of the tribe.
• Intervention. When appropriate, intervene in state-court proceedings to protect the rights of the child, the parents, and the tribe.
• Placement preferences. Advocate for the placement preferences established by ICWA — with extended family, other tribal citizens, and other Indian families — when out-of-home placement is necessary.
• Active efforts & reunification. Work with state agencies to assure that active efforts are made to prevent the breakup of the Indian family.
• Citizen support. Provide information and support to CVMT families involved in dependency, guardianship, or adoption proceedings.

Notice to the tribe under ICWA should be sent by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested, per 25 U.S.C. § 1912(a) and 25 C.F.R. § 23.111. The tribe's Designated Tribal Agent for service of ICWA notice is published by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Federal Register; confirm the current designation before sending formal notice.