Find information on the Federal Government's policy on consultation with Tribes, the Tribal Law and Order Act, and other Federal issues that impact the government-to-government relationship between the Tribes and the Federal Government as they relate to child welfare, including Tribal, State, and local examples.
Administration on Children and Families (ACF) Native American Programs
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families
Provides links to agencies in the Native American Affairs Advisory Council, an agency workgroup to support the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, the Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans, and all ACF program and regional offices that provide services to Native Americans.
Building an Effective Tribal-State Child Welfare Partnership
Capacity Building Center for Tribes (2017)
Provides a toolkit designed to assist Tribes and non-Native partners in child welfare collaboration.
Federal and State Recognized Tribes
National Conference of State Legislatures (2016)
Offers a listing of Indian Tribes or groups that are federally recognized and eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as Indian Tribes or groups that are recognized by the States, when the State has established such authority.
Recognition of Tribal Law
National Indian Law Library
Provides practical guidance on jurisdictional priorities to child welfare workers implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Tribal Law and Order Act
U.S. Department of Justice (2018)
Explains the purpose of the Tribal Law and Order Act and connects to reports about its implementation and ramifications.
Tribal, State and local examples
Indian Child Welfare Act
Cherokee Nation: Indian Child Welfare (2018)
Discusses specific district issues affecting the Cherokee Nation in child welfare cases.
The Indian Child Welfare Act Intergovernmental Agreement Between the State of Arizona Through Its Department of Child Safety and the Navajo Nation Through Its Navajo Division of Social Services, Navajo Children and Family Services (PDF - 2,580 KB)
Prevent Child Abuse Arizona (2015)
Explains the partnership between the Department of Child Safety and the Navajo Nation as it relates to the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Minnesota Tribal/State Agreement Training
Geary (2014)
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare
Provides training on the strengths and challenges associated with Tribal/State child welfare practice in Minnesota.
A Survey and Analysis of Tribal-State Indian Child Welfare Act Agreements (PDF - 1,423 KB)
O'Loughlin (2017)
Association on American Indian Affairs & Casey Family Programs
Explains best practices for coordinating between Tribes and States in order to ensure compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.