Tribal Star Resources
Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978
This document outlines the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) law as stated in the original 1978 document. The intent of ICWA is to prevent the unwarranted breakup of American Indian families, recognize tribal jurisdiction to make custody decisions involving the removal of Indian children from their homes, and establish minimum federal standards that county and/or state courts must follow when Indian children are removed from their homes and placed in foster care or adoptive homes.