For Tribes & Tribal Governments
Protecting Tribal Sovereignty in Child Custody Proceedings.
ICWA gives Tribes unique standing in child custody proceedings involving their members. We provide culturally grounded QEW placement, active efforts analysis, and intervention strategy support — so tribal sovereignty is protected at every stage.
Tribal Sovereignty & ICWA
Services Designed for Tribal Governments
ICWA proceedings are high-stakes. Whether your Tribe is intervening in a proceeding, providing QEW testimony, or advising a family, the decisions made in these cases carry lasting consequences for children, families, and tribal communities.
Our team works directly with Tribal ICWA departments, Tribal social workers, and Tribal legal counsel to provide the expert support needed at each stage of the case.
QEW Placement
When your Tribe cannot provide QEW testimony directly, we locate and place a BIA-preference-order-compliant expert with knowledge of your Tribe's specific cultural standards.
Active Efforts Review
We review case files and state agency documentation to evaluate whether Active Efforts were truly made — and prepare expert testimony on that analysis.
Intervention Strategy
We consult with Tribal ICWA departments on intervention decisions, monitoring strategies, and the most effective path to protecting tribal children.
Customary Adoption Support
We support Tribes in documenting and advocating for customary adoption as a placement preference consistent with tribal tradition.
Tribal Rights Under ICWA
The Indian Child Welfare Act grants Tribes significant rights in proceedings involving their member children. Understanding and asserting these rights is essential to protecting both individual families and the long-term sovereignty of the Tribe.
- Right to intervene in any state child custody proceeding involving a member child, at any point in the proceeding.
- Right to notice — the state is required to notify the Tribe at the earliest possible time of any pending proceeding involving a potential member child.
- Placement preferences — ICWA establishes an order of placement preferences prioritizing tribal families and tribal foster homes.
- Right to request transfer to Tribal Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over children domiciled on the reservation.
- Right to examine all records relating to a foster care placement or TPR proceeding.
Working With Us
We partner with Tribal ICWA departments across 13+ states. Our team understands the specific procedural landscape in each jurisdiction — from California ICWA to Minnesota's MIFPA to Washington's WICWA — and we work within the Tribe's existing structure, not around it.
If your Tribe needs support in a specific case, or wants to establish an ongoing relationship for QEW placement and active efforts review, reach out to schedule a consultation.
Partner With Our Team
Whether you need support on a single case or want to establish an ongoing tribal QEW relationship, we are ready to help.