Tribal Customary Adoption

As of July 2010, California law allows for a new option when adoption may be in the best interests of Native American children covered by ICWA.  This more culturally appropriate form of adoption, called Tribal Customary Adoption, does not require the termination of parental rights.

If you have a child who is covered by the Indian Child Welfare Act, this is certainly something that you should be discussing as an alternative to Termination of Parental Rights.

For More information:

National Indian Child Welfare Association
http://www.nicwa.org/adoption/

California All County Letter 10-47 http://www.cdss.ca.gov/lettersnotices/entres/getinfo/acl/2010/10-47.pdf
gives a good deal of technical information on Tribal Customary Adoption.

California All County Letter 10-17 http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/lettersnotices/entres/getinfo/acl/2010/10-17.pdf
is the ACL that gives an introduction to the new law allowing for Tribal Customary Adoption.