Children's Bureau Express

P.L. 105-89 Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997: Issues for Tribes and States Serving Indian Children

David Simmons and Jack Trope. The National Indian Child Welfare Association, Inc., and The National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement. November 1999; 32 pages.

When Congress enacted the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA), lawmakers did not specifically address how ASFA would apply to the legally unique population of Indian children in State and Tribal child welfare systems. This document explores the potential effects of ASFA on Indian children, families, and Tribes. The authors summarize and compare the legislative history and provisions of ASFA with the Indian Child Welfare Act, the primary Federal child protection law for Indian children. They consider how the two laws might mesh in practice. They also look at ways that ASFA might affect Tribal-operated child welfare programs and raise issues for consideration by policy makers and child welfare practitioners. The publication was prepared under a cooperative agreement with the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To obtain a copy of the document, contact:
National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information
330 C St., SW
Washington, DC 20447
Tel.: 800-FYI-3366 or 703-385-7565
Fax: 703-385-3206
Email: nccanch@caliber.com
Website: http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov

Other contacts: National Indian Child Welfare Association
5100 SW Macadam Ave., Suite 300
Portland, OR 97201
Tel.: 503-222-4044
Fax: 503-222-4007
Website: http://www.nicwa.org

National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement
Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service
University of Southern Maine
P.O. Box 15010
Portland, ME 04112-5010
Tel.: 207-780-5810
Fax: 207-780-5817
Website: http://www.muskie.usm.maine.edu/research/natlchildwel

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