Protecting Native children and supporting Native families to stay together
Native children are disproportionately represented in child welfare systems. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was enacted to address this harm by prioritizing family preservation, Tribal sovereignty, and culturally responsive support. Active efforts are the heart of ICWA: calling systems to do more than check boxes and instead thoughtfully partner with families and Tribes to keep children safely at home whenever possible.
What this resource does
Developed in partnership with the National Indian Child Welfare Association and Safe Babies, this resource:
- Details the history, purpose, and legal requirements of ICWA
- Clarifies what active efforts look like in real practice, beyond reasonable efforts
- Highlights thorough and timely actions that support keeping families together and reunification
- Elevates early childhood development, early relationships and infant and early childhood mental health as essential to safety and well-being
Why it’s different
Aligned with the Safe Babies approach, this resource centers:
- Early relational health and the developmental needs of babies and toddlers
- Family voice and Tribal partnership
- Prevention, not punishment
- Systems coordination that supports families early before removal occurs
The National Infant-Toddler Court Program was made possible through the support of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $7,636,913 with 0 percent financed from non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
