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R.I. Code R. 03 007 001 Policy 700.0170 CODE OF RHODE ISLAND RULES 03. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES 007. CASE MANAGEMENT (700 SERIES) 001. POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL
03 007 001. Policy and Procedure Manual ................ The Indian Child Welfare Act Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families Policy: 700.0170 Effective Date: April 10, 1989 Version: 1:
The Indian Child Welfare Act (PL 95-608) is a federal law passed by Congress in 1978 to protect the rights of Indian children, families, and tribes. This federal legislation sets guidelines for the individual states to follow in handling child welfare cases involving Indian children. It is the intent of the Act to serve the best interests of Indian children by strengthening Indian families and preserving the cultural identity of Indian children.
Related Procedures Identification of Indian Children
Court Involvement
Placement of an Indian
Child in a Placement Resource or Pre-adoptive Home
Identification of Indian
Children
Procedure From Policy
700.0170: The Indian Child Welfare Act
A. It is important to
determine if a child is of Indian descent as soon as possible after he/she
enters the child welfare system to ensure that the child's best interests
are considered in accordance with the federal mandate.
B. Initial Complaints
to CPS
1. During the preliminary
stages of a CPS investigation, if it appears that placement or removal
may be necessary, the CPI inquires if there is any Indian heritage in
the family. If the CPI is unable to gather this information, the Intake
worker attempts to determine the background of the child when he/she receives
the case.
2. If there is no Indian
heritage, this should be documented by the Intake worker in the case record.
If the CPI has determined whether there is Indian heritage, this information
is forwarded to Intake with the partial package. The CPI may proceed with
emergency placement as needed.
3. If there is Indian
heritage, the following information must be included in the case record:
a. Indian child's name,
date of birth, and birthplace
b. Parents' names (including
mother's maiden name), or names of Indian custodian(s), dates of birth,
and birthplaces
c. Indian child's tribal
affiliation 4. Information contained in Subsection "3" above must be forwarded immediately to DCYF Legal Counsel. All necessary parties will be notified prior to any court proceedings by DCYF Legal Counsel:
a. Legal Counsel will notify the Indian child's parent(s) or Indian custodian and the Tribe of the pendency of the proceedings and of their right of intervention. This notice will be made by registered mail (return receipt requested).
b. If parent(s)and/or tribe is unknown, Legal Counsel notifies the Secretary of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs at the following address by registered mail (return receipt requested).
c. Legal Counsel will forward a copy of the applicable correspondence in (a) or (b) above to the caseworker. Caseworker will incorporate into the case record.
5. Caseworker must inform family that they are entitled to rights and privileges in accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Act. These rights and privileges are as outlined in this policy.
C. Active Cases - If there has been no attempt to determine if there is Indian heritage in a case open to DCYF, the primary service worker must follow procedures outlined above (Subsection B).
Court Involvement
Procedure From Policy 700.0170: The Indian Child Welfare Act
The following procedures must be followed when there is a Family Court Hearing for the foster placement or the termination of parental rights (TPR) of an Indian child. The primary service worker must inform parent(s) of the procedures involved in voluntarily placing or terminating parental rights of the child:
A. Hearing for Voluntary Placement/TPR:
1. If it has been determined that a child is of Indian descent and the parent(s) desires to voluntarily place the child, customary DCYF procedures are followed with the addition of the following:
a. Child must be at least ten (10) days of age. If younger than ten (10) days, consult DCYF Legal Counsel.
b. Parent's(s') request
must be executed in writing at a Family Court Hearing and certified by
the presiding Judge. Consult with DCYF Legal Counsel for protocol.
c. All parties to proceeding
(i.e. parent(s), tribe, Department) have the right to all reports or other
documents filed with the court.
2. If the parent(s) of
an Indian child desires to voluntarily terminate parental rights, customary
DCYF procedures are followed with the addition of the following:
a. Inform DCYF Legal
Counsel that child is of Indian descent and discuss the appropriateness
of the action. Legal Counsel will prepare the applicable documents for
the procedure.
b. Parent's(s') request
must be executed in writing at a Family Court Hearing. Consult with DCYF
Legal Counsel for protocol.
B. Hearing for Involuntary
Placement/TPR - After all notification requirements are completed, a Court
Hearing is scheduled. The Court requires the following proof before allowing
placement/TPR of an Indian child:
1. Court must be satisfied
that placement/TPR is the last resort after all active efforts to maintain
the child at home have failed.
2. For involuntary placement,
DCYF must prove with clear and convincing evidence, based on the testimony
of expert witnesses, that further care by the parent(s) would result in
serious emotional or physical damage to the child. The standard of proof
for involuntary TPR under the Act is "beyond a reasonable doubt."
C. Emergency Placement:
1. If an Indian child
is at risk of physical harm, he/she may be removed from the home on an
emergency basis for his/her protection.
2. As soon as the child
is placed, the procedures regarding the placement of an Indian child must
be followed.
Placement of an Indian
Child in a Placement Resource or Pre-adoptive Home
A. Selection of a Placement
Resource - The Community Resources Placement Unit staff will attempt to
find a placement in the least restrictive environment which meets the
special needs of an Indian child. The placement should be located within
a reasonable distance of the child's home:
1. The Placement Unit's
search for and selection of the placement should be done in conjunction
with the tribe's representative in the following order of preference:
a. Child's extended family
b. Foster home licensed,
approved, or specified by the child's tribe (preferably within the tribe)
c. Indian foster home
licensed by an authorized non-Indian licensing authority
d. Licensed group home
or institution which has been approved by the tribe.
2. If the tribe chooses
a home which is not licensed or certified by the Department, the tribe
must submit its selection to the Family Court for approval.
B. Selection of an Adoptive
Home
1. The search for and
selection of the home should be done in conjunction with the tribe's representative
in the following order of preference:
a. Child's extended family
b. Non-related member
of the child's tribe
c. Other Indian family
d. Non-Indian family.
2. If the tribe chooses
a home which is not approved by an authorized agency, the tribe must submit
its selection to the Family Court for approval.
C. Deviation from preferences
outlined in Subsections A and B above can be made only when the Department
can show good cause for such deviation. Any determination of what constitutes
good cause must be made in conjunction with Legal Counsel. This would
include the situation where either parent objects to tribal intervention. |
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