Child Abuse and Neglect in Indian Country: Policy Issues

Abstract

Although Native People have been able to maintain many of their traditional child protective mechanisms, these have been eroded over time by forces largely outside of tribal control. The passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978 provided an opportunity to return the care of Indian children to their people. Yet, over twenty years later, there remain issues that prevent its full operationalization. This paper identifies some of the major policy issues that need to be addressed in order to provide the same opportunities to American Indian children as are given to other children in the U.S. in the area of child welfare.satisfaction — were explored in semi-structured interviews with each spouse. Understanding how spouses adapt over the life span of their relationships has important implications for prevention programs and for practice.