Child Welfare Rules – New & Old

The big news in the child welfare field is the much-anticipated decision last month by the Supreme Court to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (see The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978). The ICWA gives preference to Native American families in foster care and adoption proceedings of Native children (see Supreme Court Upholds Indian Child Welfare Act).

But preference (and choice) is always affected by the reality of available services. There is a shortage of foster families – which limits the options for placements when they’re needed (see WHO CARES: A National Count Of Foster Homes . . .