Source: http://benchbook.texaschildrenscommission.gov/library_item/gov.texaschildrenscommission.benchbook/288
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 03:38:52+00:00

Document:
• Unmarried, under the age of 18, eligible for membership in a Tribe, and is the biological child of a member of a federally-recognized Indian Tribe. 25 U.S.C. § 1903(8); 25 C.F.R. §23.2(g).
Each Tride determines eligibility for membership or enrollment, not the court.
⧠ The child’s parent, Indian custodian, and Tribe have been notified by registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested, with copies to the appropriate BIA Regional Directors. Upon request of a party, the BIA will make a reasonable attempt to identify and locate the Tribe, parents or Indian custodian.
⧠ Finding on the record that timely notice was or was not provided as required.
If not sure, but there is reason to believe the child might be an Indian child, NOTIFY!
⧠ Child must be placed in the least restrictive setting that most approximates a family, taking into consideration sibling attachment, allows the Indian child’s special needs (if any) to be met; and is in reasonable proximity to the Indian child’s home, extended family, or siblings.
⧠	Where the Tribe has not established a different order, preference must be given, in descending order to (1) extended family; (2) a foster home approved by the Tribe; (3) an Indian foster home licensed or approved by an authorized non-Indian licensing authority; or (4) an institution for children approved by an Indian Tribe or operated by an Indian organization which has a program suitable to meet the child’s needs.
⧠	The court must, where appropriate, also consider the preference of the Indian child or the Indian child’s parent.
(4) The extraordinary physical, mental, or emotional needs of the Indian child, such as specialized treatment services that may be unavailable in the community where families who meet the placement preferences live.
• Clear and convincing evidence that custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child. The evidence must show a causal relationship between the particular conditions in the home and the likelihood that continued custody of the child will result in serious emotional or physical damage. 25 C.F.R. §23.121.
• Must include testimony of a “qualified expert witness” who is qualified to testify about whether the child’s continued custody by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child and should be qualified to testify as to the prevailing social and cultural standards of the Indian child’s tribe. 25 U.S.C. § 1912(e); 23 C.F.R. §23.122.
• Finding of “Active Efforts” to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and that those efforts have been unsuccessful. 25 U.S.C. § 1912(d); 23 C.F.R. §23.120.
• Evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that custody of the child by the parent of Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child and a causal relationship. 25 U.S.C. § 1912(f); 23 C.F.R. §23.121.
• Supported by testimony of a “qualified expert witness”. 25 U.S.C. § 1912(f); 23 C.F.R. §23.122.
• Finding that “Active Efforts” have been made to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and that those efforts have been unsuccessful. 25 U.S.C. § 1912(d); 23 C.F.R. §23.120.
Best practices for Active Efforts include: (i) early contact and active engagement with the child’s tribe; (ii) higher level of efforts using methods and providing services that are culturally appropriate; and (iii) commitment to the spirit of ICWA in the context of the historical trauma. Remember that active efforts must be documented in detail in the record.

References: § 1903
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 § 1912
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